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THE REPORT OF AND 
TESTI310NY "" .'^Ij 

TAKEN BEFORE THE 
OP THE 

SENATE AND HOUSE OP DELEGATES 



OP 



MARYLAND 

To which was referred the memorials of John B, Morris^ 
Reverdy Johnson and others^ praying indemnity for 
losses sustained hy reason of the Riots in Baltimore^ 
in the month of August f eighteen hundred and thirty five. 



PUBIilSHBED BY ORDEIR OF THE G BNlCRAIi ASSEMELY 



ahvafolk: 
WILLIAM M*WEIR, PRINTER, 



By the House of Delegates, 

January 2Gth, 1836. 

Gentlemen of the Senate: 

We propose with the concurrence of your honorable 

body to appoint a joint committee of the two houses to 

consist of nine members, to consider and report upon the 

memorial of the sufferers by the late riots in the city of 

Baltimore. We have named Messrs. Merrick, Pratt, 

Ely, Travers, and Wharton, to join such gentlemen as 

may be named on the part of your honorable body to 

perform this service. 

By order, 

G. G. Brewer, Clk. 



By the Senate, 

January 27th, 1836. 
Gentlemen of the House of Delegates: 

We have received your message of the 26th inst, pro- 
posing a joint committee of the two houses to consist of 
nine members to consider and report on the memorial of 
John B. Morris, in relation to the late riots in the city of 
Baltimore. We have already appointed a committee con- 
sisting of Messrs. Mayer, Sappington, Groome, Claude 
and Page, and they will join the gentlemen named by 
your honorable body to consider and report on the mat* 
t«r presented by the said memorial. 
By order, 

Jos. H. Nicholson, Clk. 



RBPOET. 



The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Dele- 
gates to whom were referred the memorials of John B. 
Morris, Reverdy Johnson and others, have the honor to 
report, that on the 19th day of February last, a letter 
was addressed by their Chairman to the Mayor of Balti- 
more, a copy of which is appended to this report, to which 
no answer has yet been received. That at the instance 
of the Memorialists subpcsnas were issued for Ebenezer 
L. Finley, Joseph Willey, Henry S. Saunderson, Thos. 
Carroll, John Thomas, Dr. Nathan R. Smith, John Kit- 
tlewell, Dr. Ashton Alexander, William H. Norris, Co- 
lumbus O'Donnell, Joshua M. Turner, James Maguire, 
Frederick Tensfield, John Tensfield, Elias Brown, Wil- 
liam Devere, James M. Buchanan, Henry Myers, Shep- 
pard C. Leakin, Alexander Cheves, Dr. Wm N. Baker, 
Samuel Hunt, and Caleb Owings, who attended as wit- 
nesses in support of the memorials, and were publicly 
examined under oath by the Committee, their testimony 
reduced to writing and is appended to this report; upon 
a careful consideration of which your Committee submit 
that it is clearly proven, that the laws of the State have 
been openly and violently set at nought, and the rights 
and property of her citizens, the Memorialists and others 
violated, trampled on and destroyed, by a tumultuary 
and riotous assemblage of men, in the heart of the popu- 
lous and powerful City of Baltimore, and (hat this dis- 
graceful state of things was permitted to exist for several 



days together, particularly on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th 
days of August last 

It is proved that the public authorities of the city and 
the citizens generally, were well and in time, apprized 
of the approaching tumult; and possessed abundant means 
to have prevented the assemblage, or at any time to have 
quelled and dispersed it, and to have saved from injury 
the property of her citizens. 

The conclusion is irresistible that Baltimore has fail- 
ed to perform the duties she owed to members of her 
own community, to her own honor as a city, and to the 
State of Maryland. The Committee are far from design, 
ing to cast this censure upon the citizens of Baltimore 
individually. Doubtless many high-minded and patriotic 
citizens burned with desire to prevent the shame of the 
city; it is in proof before us, that many individuals did 
meritoriously exert themselves, foi the preservation of 
order; and the Committee is persuaded that a large ma- 
jority of the citizens regretted and condemned these out- 
rages. But the duty of a citizen is not discharged by 
vain wishes, or by fruitless regrets. At the last, in the 
hour of its greatest power, flushed with success and 
fraught with new and nefarious enterprizes, the mob was 
subdued and utterly dispersed without extraneous aid, 
by a voluntary movement of the citizens and a display 
of power which was at no time absent from the city. This 
might have been done at any time; that it was not done, 
was a lamentable failure of duty. The dark transaction 
began and ended in the city, and the Committee do but 
echo public opinion, in charging the offence upon that 
community: an offence which has deeply affected her 
character and credit, and reduced the value of her pro- 
perty. 



Some of the active rioters have been made to answer 
criminally; but from the evidence before us of the multi- 
tudes concerned, there is no doubt but by far the largest 
portion has escaped with perfect impunity; and it is cer- 
tain that the escape of niuhitudes who have indulged and 
glutted the base lusts of rapine, malice and revenge^ 
will be more powerful to tempt, than the punishment of 
the few can be, to deter from similar outrages, in future^ 
Stronger measures are necessary, and in the judgment 
of your committee, it is expedient at once to set an 
example by, and carry out in perspective legislation, 
provisions that will connect the interest, of any tax- 
payer at least with the support of the laws, and demon, 
strate to the disorderly and malicious, that those whom 
they would make victims of lawless wrath, are under 
the broad shield of indemnity, from which their blows 
may glance with injury to themselves, or their friends- 

At present the citizens who have been injured, remain 
wholly unredressed; and can look for redress only to the 
justice and power of the State, represented in this Gen- 
eral Assembly. It is not the first time that the peace 
and dignity of the State have been wounded by a mob. 
and had the Legislature been then aroused to the neces- 
sity of connecting with every public duty, an appropri- 
ate responsibility; had provision then been made for re- 
dress through the courts of justice to every citizen, for 
injuries sustained through the delinquency of any pub- 
lic functionary, corporation or community, we should 
probably not now be called on to deplore and redress 
these outrages. 

Improvident legislation is then in some sort the cause 



of these disorders. In this the State herself is not free 
from blame, and Maryland can suffer no blemish on her 
honor. 

But while the State at large may not be wholly free, 
from the censure of having allowed these evils, by a two 
confident reliance upon the strength of her people's 
attachment to order and law, there vrould be little jus- 
tice in subjecting to the consequences of these disorders 
those, who residing in the remote quarters of the State, 
partook not in them, equally with those who were active 
agents or passive observers of them, or who feebly as- 
serted or weakly betrayed the supremacy of the laws. 

Under these circumstances, it is a source of satisfac- 
tion to the Committee, that there exists a mode by 
which, without raising doubtful questions, complete re- 
dress may be made to the sufferers, from a fund annually 
by 'he bounty of the State, devoted to the use of the 
City of Baltimore; a fund, which the State has the un- 
questioned right to give or to withhold, or to grant upon 
such terms as she may think proper to prescribe. 

The Committee entertain the conviction that it is the 
interest, and should be the pride of every community to 
manifest and make clearly known, that within her bor- 
ders, no man can be harmed in person or estate without 
full redress, unless by the verdict of his peers and the 
law of the land; and the hope is cherished that the local 
authorities of the city of Baltimore will desire to use 
the power we propose to confer upon them, of making 
this iademnity the voluntary act of the city. But it 
is incumbent on the State of Maryland at all events to 
take care that her citizens shall not suffer unredressed. 

Your committee have accordingly reported a bill to 



meet the case which has occurred; and they have re- 
frained from offering a bill of general prospective cha- 
racter, only because they are aware that a standing com^ 
mittee of the House of Delegates, already has been 
charged with the consideration of the recommendation 
of the Governor on that subject. 
Respectfully submitted, 

WM. D. MERRICK, Chairman. 
Jos: H. Nicholson, Clk. 



INTERROGATORIES. 



In the matter of Ileverdy Johnson, John B. Morris 
and others, by memorials claiming indemnity for proper- 
ty destroyed by rioters in Baltimore, in August, 1835. 

Questions to be propounded by the committee to wit- 
nesses produced and sworn on the part of the Memori- 
alists. 

Question 1. Are you a citizen of Baltimore? What is 
your business or general occupation? ^ere you in the 
city of Baltimore during the month of August, 1835, and 
particularly on the 8th, 5th and 10th days of that month? 

2. Did you see the proceedings of the mob or any and' 
what of tht;m? fFhat number of persons appeared to 
compose the mob or openly to countenance arid encour- 
age it? 

3. Was it generally known or apprehended by the ci- 
tizens, and on what grounds and particularly was the ci- 
vil authority or police of the city aware that a combina- 
tion was forming in the city for the purpose of breaking 
the public peace and of destroying the property of citi- 
zens? 

4. rrhat measures were adopted by the public autho- 
rities to prevent the formation of the mob, to disperse it, 
to prevent, or to stop its violence? 

5. Had the authorities civil and military of the city, 
means by which the mob might have been prevented 
from assembling or dispersed or restrained from destroy- 
ing the property of the memorialists and others, what 
were those means, and were they exercised? 

6. When the mob was finally quelled, was it general- 
ly understood, reported and believed that it had designed 
to destroy the property of other persons? By what 
means was it quelled? Might not the same means or oth- 
ers of equal effect have be«n called into exercise at any 
stage of the vioieiice? 



TESTIi^IONY. 



John Thoir^as being stcorn, answers: 

To the 1st interrogatory. He is a citizen of Baltimore. 
He is Navy agent lor the U. S. on the Baltimore station. 
He was in Baltimore on the 8th, 9ih and lOth Jays of 
August, 1835. 

To the second intci rogatory he says, that he was a 
witness tj the proceedings of the mob; that the number 
o( persons supposed to compose the mob, cembining with 
it others who were not considered a part of it, would 
amount to some thousands. The only part of the pro- 
ceedings of the mob he saw, was in relation to Mr. John- 
son's house, by the breaking of glasses in the windows 
of his residence, this occurred after dark on Friday night. 

To the 3J interrogatory he says, his impressions are, 
it was generally known and so apprehended by the citi. 
zens, several days before the violence took place. The 
civil authority must have known the fact. On Saturday 
he was infoimed that the Mayor desired that the citizens 
should assemble at the Mayor's office to form a band ot 
constables — on being so informed he answered very well; 
and pray what is the object.'' The answer was, it is for 
the purpose of taking measures to protect the house of 
Rlr. Johnson, Allow me then to ask of you, what nceas- 
ures are proposed.'' It is our intention, was the reply, 
that we should assemble there in the most peaceful man- 
ner, bearing in our hands batons er turned pieces of wood 
as means of defence. This deponent remarked that he 
would not be one of the party, unless there was an arm- 
ed force upon which to fall back if we could not main- 
our position. He repaired to the Mayor's office, he got 
there just at the moment of the breaking up of the meet- 
ing, and in time to ask if any and what measures had 
been taken for the defence of Mr. Glenn's house. The 
Mayor recognizing his voice, called this deponent to 
him and said "I am glad to see you, will you stand by 
me to night.'" He answered, *'yes — provided 1 am al- 
lowed to defend myself in ray own way." To which 
the Mayor answered "certainly." This deponent im- 
xnediately went home and put on his side arms, with 



11 

which he went to Monument square, — arriving there he 
was met by Mr. Miltenbergcr, who complained of this 
deponent's want of discretion in being armed, as it would 
be in the light of an invitation to the mob to attack, — to 
this, this deponent answered, "I have acted according to 
my views of discretion, and I will leave you to act ac- 
cording to your views of indiscretion i 

Question by the Chairman Was Mr. Miltenbergcr 
a member of the City Council? 

Ans. He was President of the First Branch. 

To the 4th interrogatory he S3ys — He has no knowl- 
edge of any measures adopted by the civil authorities to 
prevent the formation of the mob — but to disperse it and 
to prevent or stop its violence, the measures resorted to 
were by putting into the the hands of citizens a turned 
peice of wood not more than twenty four inches long, 
and made either of white pine or poplar. The number of 
citizens into whose hands these pieces of wood were 
placed, varied according to the opinion of this deponent, 
from one to two hundred. 

To the 5th interrogatory he says — That the civil au- 
thorities by requisition had, as he thinks, ample means by 
which the mob might have been prevented from assetn- 
bling, and that it could have been dispersed and restrain- 
ed from destroying the property of the Memorialists 
and others, if resorted to in due time. In the o{)inion of 
this deponent, a company of infantry one hundred strong 
could have put down that mob. 

Question by Mr. Merrick. Have you any knowl- 
edge that the civil authorities made any rt^quisision for 
the military? 

Ans. He has no knowledge that any such requiiition 
was made. 

To the 6th interrogatory he says, — It is the impression 
of this deponent that it was the design of the mob to des- 
troy the property of persons other than those who had 
been attacked — that it was quelled and put down by an 
armed force raised in the city, and that the same menns 
by which the mob was put down had they been resorted 
to in due time, would have prevented the destruciion of 
the property of the memorialists. This deponent be- 
lieves that the mere array of an armed force would have 
been sufficient at any lime to suppress the mob. 



12 

William H. JVorris being sworn, answers: 

To the first interrogatory 1 say, 1 am a citizen of 
Baltimore, an attorney at law, and was in the city on 
the 8th and most of the ninth of August. 

To the 2d. I answer, I did see the proceedings of the 
moh until the afternoon of the 9th: The operatives of 
the mob could not have exceeded three hundred. The 
number countenancing their mischief, your deponent 
cannot pretend to approximate by any estimate. 

3d. To this query, I answer, that the civil outrage 
was apprehended by the citizens generally and by the 
civil authority, especially from anonymous letters, and 
publicly posted placards and general rumour. 

4th. I answer to this query, that a guard of citizens, 
armed with short wooden batens, was summoned on 
Saturday afternoon. 

5th. To this question 1 answer, the means were ample; 
one hundred armed men would have sufficed to prevent, 
or arrest the mob without a drop of blood-shed. These 
means were unused, despite the plainest indications of 
their necessity. 

6th. It was generally understood that the intention of 
the mob was to destroy the propert}' [of other persons. 
The mob was quelled, by an appeal to arms made by 
General Smith and promptly responded to by the citizens 
— Instantaneously, all was orderly and tranquil. The 
same means at any stage of the violence would have had 
the same effect. 

WILLIAM H. NORRIS. 

I am acquainted with most of the witnesses who have 
testified, and belive them as capable, if not more so than 
any others who could be assembled before this commit- 
tee to detail the truth of the matters inquired into. I 
speak this with referenee to their opportunities of judg- 

'^" WILLIAM H. NORRIS, 



13 

Dr. Nathan R. Smith being sworn, answers — "^ 

1. I am a citizen of Baltimore, Professor of Surgery 
in the University of Maryland, practitioner of Surgery and 
Medicine, was in Baltimore during the whole of August 
1835. 

2. I first saw the proceedings of the mob on Saturday, 
the 8th, at 7 o'clock, P. M. when, in obedience to a re- 
quest from the Mayor, communicated by Dr. Baker, Jr. 
1 mounted my horse, and joined a squadron then forming 
on monument square for the preservation of order. I 
was directed to take no arms but a stick, and was placed 
under the ordt rs of Major Finiey. Being stationed wi^h 
a detachment at the corner of Market and Calvert streets, 
between 8 and 9 o'clock, in obedience to orders, I with 
others charged upon a throng of riotous persons and spec- 
tators who manifested a disposition to break in "jpon the 
square. A scene of violence and confusion ensued — 
some of my companions were knocked from their horses 
with stones and clubs The streets were now barricaded 
by the mob, and from behind these defences stones and 
clubs were showered upon us. It soon became manifest 
that, without arms we could make no effectual defence. 
Arms were demaded; some obtained them, from what 
source, or by what authority, I know not. I saw fire- 
arms used at the corner of Market and Calvert, and the 
mob quickly dispeised from that point. 

Most of the horsemen left the scene of action early, 
either because of hurts received, or because arms could 
not be procured. I continued on horse-back till near 12 
o'clock, and was occcasionally employeu in charging 
upon the mob. I saw the rioters in Glenn's house ef- 
fecting its destruction. Our last charge was made upon 
a throng that filled tiie street in front of Glenn's house. 
I there received two severe contusions and leapt the bar- 
ricade with difficulty. Being unfit for further service, 
I went home, but was engaged, during the remainder 
of the night, in administering to wounded rioters, ten 
of whom were brought to my house. One died in my 
oflBce, and one left it in a dying state. With possibly 
one exception, they appeared to be persons who had been 
engaged in the riot. They vomittd wine and were co- 
vered with feathers. 

1 saw the work of destruction going on in Glenn's 
house on Sunday. Early on Sunday night I saw the ri- 



11 

otcrs at work in destroying Johnson's houso and furni- 
ture, without opposition. Indeed it was understood that 
the city had been abandoned to the mob by the civil au- 
thority, and as a citizen of Baltimore, 1 felt that the arm 
of the law no longer protected my life or property. As 
to the numbers of the mob, thousands were in the streets, 
but the active rioters were only one or two hundred. 

3. The whole city had sufficient premonition that a 
liot was impending for several days before it occurred, 
and that the lives and property of citizens were in dan- 
ger. 

4. To prevent and suppress the riot, the authorities of 
the city assembled many citizens, and armed them, with 
sticks. Many others refused to act because not adequate- 
ly armed. 

5. The authorities of the city had ample means to 
suppress the mob, and had they placed one hundred 
stand of arms in the hands of those under orders, and 
had they publicly announced that the rioters would be 
fired upon, and had all peaceably disposed citizens been 
sworn to keep their houses, the mob would have been 
prevented and not a drop of blood shed On Sunday, 
none were authorized to use arms and this being an- 
»iounced publicly, by the Mayor, the mob assembled that 
night without fear of molestation. The 5th interrogato- 
ry is partly answered above. 

6. Before the riot was quelled, it was well under- 
stood that a list of proscribed was made out by the riot- 
ers and that the houses of many citizens were to be at- 
tacked on Monday night. My own house was threat- 
ened. A rnan came to my house on Sunday morning by 
day break, and offered one of ray servants five dollars 
for information as to my movements the night before. 

G The mob was finally quelled by a spontaneous as- 
semblage of the citizens at the Exchange, (not called by 
the civil authority as far as I know) on Monday, when 
it was resolved to arm. I attended the meeting — march- 
ed with them to the Park and back to the City Hall. 
Arms were distributed, guards organized and violence 
ceased. 

The same means would undoubtedly hare succeeded 
in quelling the mob at any moment of its progress. 



15 

John Kettleiodl being sicorn^ Jinswei» — 

I am a citiz!.'n of Baltimore,, engaged in mercantile pur 
suits, and was in tlie city of Baltimore on llie 8lh, 9lh and 
10*h days of August. 

In answer to the interrogatories which the committee 
have propounded, I would respectfully request that I might 
be permitted to aller the order in which they are arranged; 
so that in giving; a narrative of the circumstances which 
came to my knowledge, it may he done in proper detail as 
they occurred — this being granted, 

I should commence with the 3d interrogation, and an- 
swer, that a civil rupture was anticipated by the citizens of 
Baltimore, some days previous to its outbreaking, and upon 
the following grounds or causes. When I had last evening 
the honor of making a brief verbal detail to the committee, 
I stated that the unfortunate convulsion of some of the monied 
institutions of our city, combined with the consequent 
losses thereby sustained by the whole community, was the 
original or primary cause of the late riots in Baltimore. It 
was a shock that coming in troubled times, shook the com- 
munity to its very centre. In the stoppage of those mo- 
nied institutions, there were cases of pecuniary suffering 
well calculated to excite the sympathies of others, who 
were likewise injured, but more able to sustain it. These 
sympathies were improperly operated upon and directed by 
a lawless and tumultuary disposition. On the morning of 
the failure of the Bank of Maryland, there was a manifes- 
tation of this feeling; but suppressed by those who were 
deeply interested, representing that the funds of the Bank 
if not adequate to meet all its engagements, would certain- 
ly make a large dividen'i, and private fortune was also 
pledged to make up any deficiency. This smothered the 
feeling only, it was merely suspended. Subsequent events 
in the history of the Bank after its failure, added increased 
strength to this combustible material. The institution, it 
was discovered, or at least believed, was not solvent by a 
large amount. 

1 he public were impressed with a belief that it had been 
bankrupt for a considerable period, and each investigation 
added fresh feeling to popular prejudices. An unfortunate 
misunderstanding took place between the gentlemen who 
were charged with the management and direction of the 
Bank. This altercation was distinguished for its vindictive 
character — the statements of each party were laid before 



16 

the public, sought after, and read with avidity. The con- 
troversy was carried ow in the warmest spirit of crimina- 
tion and re crimination. Charges of no complimentary cha- 
racter were exchanged with bitter hostility, until popular 
prejudice became |)ublic fury. Reason was confounded by 
contrary expositions. 

The subject absorbed the whole attention of those who 
had been suflferers, and excited the interest of the commu§ 
nity generally. There were not wanted persotis to supply 
the poison, until the gentleman who had the direction 
and management of the Bank seemed to offer in their 
persons or property, a fit sacrifice to appease what such 
delusion in point of result, conceived due to its wrongs. 
Here it would be proper to say, that this feeling was not 
perhaps more frequently found among those who had 
sustained loss, than it was with those who had suifeied 
none. The loss of (J5 created in some a feeling of ani- 
monisity, that was not discoverable in the mind of 
another who had lost thousands. At this critical period, 
when the match was only wanted to make the explosion, 
some person unknown to your deponent, ciiculated 
throughout ij'he community, anonymous letters of the 
most incendiary and inflamatory character; they breathed 
a spirit of destruction, and recommended an annihilation 
of law, that would have done credit to the most deter- 
mined Jackobin, that ever thirsted for blood or revenge: 
it preached the 1st revolution of France, that "death 
was the eternal sleep" — what he has stated, it is the im- 
pression of your deponent, caused the first collection in 
Monument square, to which might be added the placards 
that were plastered up in the high-ways and market- 
houses. They were known to the civil authorities, and 
consequently it is the opinion of your deponent, that 
they were aware of the formation of such a combination. 

Your deponent will now reply, as next in order, to 
the 5th interrogation. Pursuing the course which I have 
adopted of stating the events as they occurred to my 
knowledge, I shall give the efforts that were made by 
the city authorities to raise means, and the manner that 
those means were used to disperse and restrain the mob. 
The first exhibition to this efTort, which came to the 
knowledge of your deponent, was the call of the citi- 
zens in town meeting at the Exchrnge, which has been 
so correctly, substantially and minutely related by 



17 

Ml" Norris, as to make a repetition unnecessary by your 
deponent. It would be detaining the attention of the 
committee to no purpose. One circumstance as stated 
by Mr. Norris, so strongly illustrated the feeling of the 
people that it may not be proper to call your attention to 
it — I allude to the resolution offered by Mr. Thomas, 
from the Eastern part of the city, calling upon the TruS' 
tees to hand over the Books of the Bank, to the creditors. 

This was received with acclamation, and served to 
show what was the state of mind, even among those who 
had ostensibly came for the purpose of securing peace 
to our city, by the proper maintenance of the law. 

This meeting adjourned without coming to any de« 
cisive measures. On the same night, the evil disposed, 
assumed a more formidable attidude and a determination 
to continue the assault upon the dwelling of Mr. Johnson. 

Your deponent was a spectator of the scenes that fol- 
lowed upon that night, from a few minutes before Mr. 
Hunt had finished his address, up to the departure of the 
rioters, for dispersed they were not in the opinion of 
your deponent. When I reached the square, loud cries 
of a tumultous character, burst from every section of the 
crowd. Mr. Hunt, as a director in the Bank of Mary- 
land, was assailed. He was told that he was also identi. 
fied with the Bank robbers — that the cries of the widow 
and the orphan were up against him. He thanked them 
for the allusion — If others had suffered, it was likevirise 
his own lot, and that of his family; a portion of the little 
he had, was gone with the failure of the bank; but to 
restore peace, all should go, and if necessary his life 
with it. He was then called to descend from the steps 
and with it came the mingled warning of friends to re- 
main — that his life was in jeopardy. He must fall a 
sacrifice to the disturbed passions of the multitude. He 
promptly descended, your deponent having the hold 
of his arm. He then appealed to the well disposed, 
and commanded the police of the city to rally arouud 
him. Your deponent is of the impression that all the avail- 
able police of the city was present. Out of that crowd 
of 1000 to 1500 or upwards, fifty individuals obeyed the 
summons. 

I should, however, be doing injustice to my feelings did 
1 not bear testimony to the personal courage, the prompt- 
ness, the spirit, both as the chief magistrate of the city, 
3 



18 

and as a man, which Mr. Hunt displayed under my own 
eye, and under the most trying circumstances — his life 
threatened, deserted comparatively, by that community as 
it was assembled, which in part had elevated him to his 
honorable station; he never lost his presence of mind, or 
shrunk fiora danger. Conscious of the anxiety that this 
committee have to secure a perfect knowledge of the state 
of public mind, and satisfied of the important bearing, the 
but partially restrained violence of thi& night, had upon the 
future outrages, your deponent will communicate a few il- 
lustrative incidents that occurred upon that occasion. 

Many of the captures that were made by the police, 
were immediately rescued by those who appeared but a 
moment before as passive spectators — violence was 
threatened against those citizens who made any attempt 
to hand over to the police those who were actually caught 
in throwing stones, or otherwise manifesting a refractory 
disposition^ Your deponent himself was in the attempt 
of endeavouring to secure an individual, who, it was 
said had thrown a stone, but was dissuaded from it by- 
Mr Jacob Hare, Mr. Charles Merry man and others, 
upon the ground it would be folly, and dangerous to at- 
tempt it, the former spoke to the individual accused, they 
had seporated but a few moments before a stone, with 
unerring aim, struck Mr. Hare on the head. Your de- 
ponent at the suggestion of others, combined with his 
own opinion, requested W. G. Read, Esq. to make an 
attempt to address the crowd from the portico of Mr. 
Johnson's house. He promptly obeyed the request, but 
the clamour was so loud, that though your deponent was 
right along side of him, yet his voice could scarcely be 
heard — stones and brick-bats flew so rapidly as to urge 
your deponent to leave the situation, and resume his aid 
to the Mayor and other gentlemen similarly engaged in 
the square. 

Your deponent left Mr. Hunt (in company with Mr. 
Hare) the last individual he saw in the square, about one 
o'clock in the morning. 

The Commitiee will observe, that this detail embraces 
so much in answer to the 2d interrogation as your depo 
nent witnessed of the proceeding of the mob, until Satur- 
day. He will now again recur to the means that were a- 
dopted on Saturday, to prepare against the storm that was 
rapidly approaching to no ordinary tempest of popular out- 



19 

rage. This was the meeting at the Mayor's office. Here 
again he begs leave to refer to the detail made by Mr. Nor- 
ris,with but a briefallnsion to its proceedings as his memory 
serves him. Mr. Hunt was Chairman of ihe meeting. He 
seemed to surrender his own judgment to that of the assem- 
blage. The course to be adopted was that which absorbed 
the attention of the meeting. Arms or no arms was the 
question. Several plans were offered, and all advocated 
with ingenuity and plausibility. The strongest advocates 
against the use of arms were Mr. Jones, Mr. McCulloch, 
Mr. Wra. George Read, and Mr. Y. Walsh— they who 
thought that powder and ball would be the strongest argu- 
ment, were Capt. Cheves, Mr. John Scott, and Doctor 
Bond. Several enquiries were made of those present in re- 
ference to the practicability of getting the military to arm — 
Among those organized was Capt. Bentzinger, a gentleman 
whose courage stands high above suspicion. He was ask- 
ed if he thought his company would turn out uniformed and 
armed? His reply was distinct, that he had made the enqui- 
ry, and with the exception of some half a dozen he thought 
they would not. But as citizens on horse back, he thought 
ihey would. Other instances were adduced of a similar 
character, and the question was taken, IMr. Hunt in the 
Chair, and decided by vote against the use of fire arms. — 
The plan adopted has been already stated by Col. Thomas 
and Mr. Norris. A call was made upon the friends of good 
order. Battons were prepared, and put into the hands of 
those who appeared at the call — Such were the means 
adopted, and were exercised without success. 

Your deponent will conclude his answer to the fourth and 
fifth mterrogation, by giving it as his opinion, that if the cor- 
porate authorities of the city had issued a proclamation re- 
quiring all persons not identified in active feeling with the 
mob, to have remained at home, with tlioseover whom they 
had control, or suffer the consequences of defying the law, 
and (;ut into the hands of lliose who did turn out, good and 
efficient arms; clothed with proper power to use them when 
and wherever the law was assailed, that the mob could have 
been "restrained (rom destroying the property @f the Me- 
morialist and others" on that night. 

Your deponent again recurring to the 2d interrogation, 
will conclude the subsequent portion of what he witnessed 
of the mob, and liis opinion of its nature, of those who com- 
posed and those who countenanced it. Your deponent has 



20 

already stated the burning prejudices tlmt the community 
had against those who had directed '.he affairs of the Bank 
of Maryland, and measurably against those, into whose 
trust it lell after its failure. This prejudice was deep and 
prevalent. The mob was, as it were, composed of an active 
and a passive feeling. The former were numerically weak; 
the latter was, perhaps, composed of a thousand. How far 
the feeling pervaded your deponent cannot say. By the 
active, I mean those who were bent lo destroy — governed 
by the combined feeling of a thirst lor pillage, revenge, and 
there may have been instances of those who were so far de- 
luded as to believe they were doing a duty to tliemselves 
and the community. This latter believed they were plun* 
dered;thought that justice was under the influence of wealth; 
legal talent, and that power which they imagined one por- 
tion of society had, and was exercising over a more weak 
and bumble part. If such they were, it must have origin- 
ated out of excited passion, and the absence of that judg- 
ment and information, which should teach all, that the law 
should be held sacred even unto death, as the only barrier 
between anarchy and peace, man and the brute creation. — 
By the passive, I mean those who were so far operated upon 
by the general prejudice, that while they would rather have 
suffered martyrdom than to defile the law, by open acts of 
violence; yet did not conceive themselves bound, or at least 
willing, to risk their lives in the defence of the property of 
those who were concerned in the direction of the Bank. 

Saturday night commenced the work of destruction. Your 
deponent had the command of a compawy of volunteer 
citizens, stationed in Fayette street, and ordered to defend 
that pass to the square. The principal point of attack in 
the early part of the evening, was confined to Market and 
Calvert streets. 

Your deponent and his asscciatts were, however, in 
the meantime assailed with unrelenting insult and abuse. 
— Chaiged with being the defenders of Bank Robbers, 
&c The number of gentlemen under my command at 
no time exceeded thirty, and in the early part of the 
evening did not number half a dozen. About half past 
eleven o'clock, information was brought to the under- 
signed that the mob in large numbers, were assembling 
under exciting influence of the drum in Market street, 
east of South street, accompanied with the advice that it 
would be prudent to retire, as our numbers were too 



21 

few to contend with the rioters, — We determined, how- 
ever, upon a different course, and were not long in sus- 
pense; we met then mid -way between Fayette and Mark- 
et streets; defendinj; ourselves, for the mob wrre <he as- 
sailants, with stones, brick-bats and a few muskets — from 
numbers it is more than likely that we should have been 
overpowered, had it not have been for the arrival of 
Capt. Willey and about six horsemen — Mr. Norris, Mr. 
ffalsh, Mr. Devere, who passed throuf^h our ranks and 
fired upon them. By the influence of Mr. Myers, we 
secured additional muskets, and then, after a sharp con- 
test, the mob retired. 

On JSunday, in the presence of several thousand citi- 
zens, I witnessed the destruction of Mr. Glenn's house 
by a few men and boys; during the whole of Sunday, as 
I expressed myself then, I considered the civil law, or 
rather all law surrendered to the mob. 

About day light on Sunday morning I accompanied Col. 
Finley, who was severely wounded, to his country seat. 
On our way from Barnum's Hotel, I got out of the carriage 
to remove the barricade of carts, planks and barrels, which 
were placed on each side of Calvert street by the rioters, 
as I presumed, to interfere with the efficiency of the moun- 
ted men. On Sunday evening I was for a few minutes a 
spectator of the destruction of iNIr. Johnson's property, 
and remember of remarking, that if paid to do the work, 
the rioters could not have proceeded with more deliberate 
system and mdustry. The committee will observe, that 
my being stationed at one point, where I remained with ftw 
exceptions of short intervals during the night, hence your 
deponent had not the opportunity of ivitnessing such parti- 
culars as those gentlemen who were on horse back, and who 
will be in evidence. 

Cries of no VVatch-House, no laws, no Watchmen, were 
heard on Sunday night in the neighborhood of South and 
Water street — your deponent did not leave the city, he was 
however warned and advised to do so. 

In answer to the last interrogation, your deponent believes 
that it was the intention of the mob to destroy other pro- 
perty: It was quelled by an armed force at the call of the 
venerable Geneial Samuel Smith, uho manifested all the 
firmness and ability which has distinguished a long, valuable 
and useful life. What effect other means aiight have had 
will be found in my reply to the 4th and 5th interrogatory. 

Your deponent wdl in conclu'^ion simply state that in mat- 
ter of memory he may have erred, but not otherwise. 



22 

Columbus O'DoTinell being sworn, answers: 

1st Interrogatory. I am a citizen of Baltimore, the 
President of two corporations; and was in Baltimore, 
during the whole of the month of Aiin;ust, 1835. 

2d. I was present and saw the proceedirrgs of 
the mob on Friday Saturday and Sunday, the 7th, 
8th,|and 9lh August — On Friday evening the active mob 
may have amounted to 150 persons, the persons pre- 
sent about 2000 — on Saturday and Sunday, the number 
had much increased. 

3d. It was reported for some days before that an attack 
would be made on the persons of Messrs. Johnson and 
Glenn. 

4th. No measures were adopted by the public authorities 
previous to Friday night 7th August, to disperse the mob. 
On Friday night I joined the mayor and charged the mob, 
ivith the watchmen and a number of citizens. Tlie mayor 
had assembled all his ivatclimen, and with them|and a few 
citizens, defended Mr. Johnson's house that night, at the 
risk of his life. No man could have displayed more courage 
than he did that night. 

5th. The means by which the mob might have been pre- 
vented from assembling and restrained from destroying the 
property of the memorialist, was to have called out the 
military and arm the citizens with muskets, not with small 
sticks — these means were not exercised until a late hour on 
Saturday night, when they proved effectual in restraining 
and preventing the mob from destroying Mr. Johnson's 
house, and I think it probable, that if the Mayor had not 
issued his proclamation, wiiich stated the citizens had no 
authority from him to use arms and which had the effect to 
prevent many from turning out on Sunday, the mob would 
liave been restrained on that evening from any furt.her 
destruction of property. 

6th. It was reported after the mob was finally quelled, 
that they intended to attack and destroy the property of 
some of the persons that had taken an active part against 
them on Saturday, and it was likewise reported, that the 
mob intended to attack the Union Bank of Maryland on 
the same night. 

The mob was quelled by armed citizens under the 
command of the venerable General Samuel Smith, who 
assured the committee of which I was one that waited 
on him at his country residence, two miles froni town, 



23 

that if he could procure thirty armed men in the city, 
he would beat the mob and preserve the persons and 
property of his fellow-citizens from destruction — General 
S. Smith recommended the use of arms to the citizens 
at the Exchange; as the only way of preserving the 
peace of the city and preventing the destruction of life 
and properyty — his words were at the meeting, no reso- 
lutions, but act at once, and put down the mob, and at 
the head of a few citizens, he fearlessly marched through 
the streets, rallying tlie citizens, with the American 
colours waving over his venerable head. It is my opinion 
that if he had been called sooner to our assistance, the 
property of the memorialists would never have been 
destroyed. 

Frederick Tensjield being sworn, answers: 

Answer to 1st interrogatory. I am citizen of Balti- 
more, by occupation a black-smith. I was in Baltimore, 
during the 8th, 9th, and 10th day of August last. 

Answer to 2d. [ did. It appeared that two or three 
hundred persons were actually and actively engaged in 
the mob iand perhaps between one and two thousand 
persons encouraged it. 

Answer to 3d. I believe that it was generally known 
that there would be some outrages committed by the 
disaffected citizens as early as Thursday and Friday 
nights. This inference was drawn from the fact of a 
multitude of citizens assembling in an unusual manner 
and deep feelings seeming to pervade the community. 

Answer to 4th. There was an inefficient effort made 
on the part of Mr. Jesse Hunt, mayor of Baltimore, to 
quiet the multitude on Friday, the 9th of August, and 
the police was enlarged on Saturday the lOlh of August, 
this is all that I am aware of. I was requested to attend 
a meeting of citizens at the Mayor's office on Saturday, 
but of the result of the meeting I was not then apprised. 

Answer to 5th. It is my impression that if the mayor 
had distributed fire arms to the citizens (determined to 
preserve peace and order) at the commencement of the 
disturbance, order might have been preserved. Those 
means were not exercised. 

Answer 6th. It was generally understood that my own 
property and the property of other citizens together 



24 

with public institutions were to have been destroyed. 
The mob was quelled by means of a town meeting being 
called at the Exchang;e, wheie General Samuel Smith, 
presided, who formed themselves into companies, de- 
termined to sustain and preserve order. I think that the 
same means might have been exercised or called into 
action at any stage of the violence. 

Henry MyerSj being sworn, answers: — 

Question 1st. I am a citizen of the city of Baltimore, 
in the Mercantile business, was in the city of Baltimore du- 
ring the month of August, 1835. 

2d Question. I was present and endeavoured to suppress 
the mob on the 6th, 7tii, 8th, IJth and 10th, and for several 
days thereafter. The number on the 8th was about 7000, 
800 active and 6,700 passive; on the 9th impossible to say; 
on the 10th, none to be seen. 

3d. It was generally known, that an unusual excitement 
prevailed some time previous to the 6th — au\ not aware of 
the civil authorities being acquainted with any combination 
formed previous to the riots of the 7th, and that only from 
their open violence. 

4th. Pacific measures were used by the Mayor up to 
the 8th inclusive, with considerable risk of his life. 

5th. The authorities both civil and military, had the 
means, if used, to prevent and disperse the mob — those 
means were fire arms; they were not used until about 11 
o'clock on the 8th inst. P. M. The order coming from 
Judge Brice. 

^ 6. Other persons were threatened, especially those who 
took an active part against the mob. It appears re- action 
took place in the minds of the citizens on the 9th, as the 
rioting seemed to have got out of first hands, into those 
whose intentions were to pillage. Fifty men with fire arras 
might have dispersed any gatherings that came under my 
notice, provided they had acted with discretion. 

Questions by Mr. Ely. 

1st. Were you a member of the City Council at the 
time of the late riots during August last.'' 

2. Was not the city council called together on Monday 
after the destruction of Johnson's house on Sunday? and 
what was the advice of the City Council as regards the use 
of fire arms? 



•Jo 

Answer to t!ie 1st question. — He was. 

Answer fo Vh^ '2iu\. The Councel was convened on 
Monday. The Mayor lendnre(! his resignation on that day. 
A joint committee was appointiMJ who made a unanimous re- 
port approvinir the conduct of the Mayor throughout, John 
Sirott hcin^ Cliairman of the committee. The council re- 
commended tliat the Firemen of Baltimore should turn out 
with their badi^es and other apparatus. They did turn out, 
and marched down Market street, and there appeared to be 
a general change in the countenances of tlie citizens. 

Question by Jlr. Jlcrnck. 

At wliat time was this turn out of the Firemen? 
Answer. About the time the citizens were assembling 
U'iih General Smith at the Exchange. 

Dr. Aakton Jilexandsry being sworn, answered, 

To the first question, I answer, that I have resided in Bal- 
timore more than SO years; by profession a Physician, and 
was in the city on the 8th, 9lh and tenth days of Aug:ust. 

Second interrogatory, I answer. There were early in- 
dications of a disturbance in the cily; there were placards 
denouncing; particular persons, posted in different parts, said 
to be written in the same hand writing and resembling the 
writing of the anonymous letters directed to Johnson and 
Glenn, threatening the vengeance afterwards perpetrated 
upon thc'ir house--, and property, together with others. 

A meeting of the citizens was called at the Exchange on 
Friday. It was large; geveral Presidents and Secretaries 
were appointed, names now not recollected, and when the 
meeting was organized, the Presidents were appointed a 
committee to draft resolutions, suited to the occasion. They 
wiihdrew, and having prepared them as I supposed previous 
to the meeting, reported them veiy soon; — what they were, 
I have no distinct recollection. They were wholy ineffici- 
ent, being self-evident propositions, and what no one could 
deny, I thought, for the purpose, boon after they were 
passed and I believe without a negative. A resolution was 
offered by a Mr. Thomas of Fell's Point to the following 
words: 

''That the Trustees of the Bank of Maryland, be di- 
rected or requested to deliver up the Books of the Bank 
to the creditors of the Bank" — This resolution was sec- 
onded and adopted, with the exception of not more thfui 
twenty or thirty negatives I believe. 
4 



26 

I was so astonished at the approbation of the meeting, 
that I said as soon as I recovered from my astonishment, 
I considered these resolutions an authority for the mob, 
to commence their operations, and as I predicted, (he 
work begun soon after night, by breaking several of the 
window panes of Mr. Johnson's house and a few panes 
of glass in the adjoining house, owned by Mrs. Gilmor, 

Several speeches were addressed to the mob from 
Barnum's steps and windows. I do not recollect all the 
speakers, but among them was the Mayor, who I thought 
at that time conducted himself with great propriety, for 
finding his a';:|dress had not been attended to, he placed 
himself on the pavement in front of the house and my 
impression is, that he saved the house from destruction 
that night. 

The next day, a meeting was called at the Mayor's 
office, to which I was invited by a gentleman on his 
way. I replied no Sir, after the meeting yesterday which 
surrendered the city to the mob, I shall attend no more 
meetings. I learned before night the resolutions of the 
meeting and considered them wholly inadequate to check 
the mob. 

As I live npar the Squaie, I saw the earliest move- 
ments of the Rolling Pin Guard. The Mayor, Judgea 
Brice and Nesbit, took their stations on the steps of Mrs. 
Beamer's boarding house, where they were when the 
attack began at the east corner of Market and Calvert 
Streets. I proceeded to the point of attack, and found 
the mob in a very large mass, throwing stones and brick- 
bats, and intrenched behind a barricade of carts, left by 
the pavers. I soon found I was in a place of much 
danger, and was retreating, when the mob, was driven 
back, by a charge of the cavalry, amounting to eight or 
ten persons — the cavalry could not pass the barricade, 
and when they retreated, the attack was renewed more 
fiercely than before, and many of the guard were 
wounded. Five of the wounded wei e dressed by myself 
in the course of the evening, and I was called upon after 
retiring to bed, to dress a wounded nsan at Barnum's, 
which I declined, referring the messenger to my young 
friend Dr. Riley who resides near my house 

When I returned from the point of attack to where 
the Mayor and Judges were,l found persons applying to 
them for arms, stating that it was impossible to sustain 



27 

their posiiion, and protect Mr. Johnson's house from 
destruction without aid, saying they would not expose 
their lives without arms in their hands — I was an eye- 
witness of the facts they slated and gave it as my de- 
cided opinion, that <he friends of h\w and order could 
not protect either, without arms were put into their 
hands* The Judges adopted the opinion, but the mayor 
hesitated I think, but upon a repetition of the request, 
finally consented. 

An order was given for the arms, by whom, I do not 
now recollect, and the good effect was soon evinced by 
the abandonnient of the mob at the corner of Market and 
Calvert Streets, of their strong barricade. I hoped now 
the mob was subdued and came and reported to the 
Mayor and Judges. But soon after it was reported to 
these gentlemen, that Mr. Glenn's house was attacked. 

1 did not leave the Square, but soon after this report, 
I proceeded to the corner of Lexington and Calvert 
streets, where there were fifteen or twenty armed men 
stationed, extending from Mr. Taylor's corner, to the 
Court house; when I reached that point, I saw a large 
number of the mob come into Calvert street, through 
the alley at the corner of Mr. Meredith's house— they 
came down to Mr. N. Williams' corner, to the opposite 
corner, and many of them passed into Mr. Crawford's 
Garden, and occupied the railing of the garden. 

They then commenced vituperating the armed guard, 
in no measured abuse, and particularly Major Hall, who 
I supposf'd commanded the station. Pending this abuse 
I observed the mob were gradually advancing upon the 
guard, who did not I thought observe the movement, 
I called the attention of the officer or one of the guard, 
I do not now recollect which, who directed the mob to 
fall back and I think presented arms upon them, keep- 
ing their position. 

Had they advanced a few feet farther by a sudden 
rush they might have made themselves masters of the 
arms and before those arms couid have been used 
against them. I had no doubt that this was their in- 
tention, the consequences of which would have been 
fatal to many, as they appeared soon after to move away, 
I entered my house as it was late. 

The next morning I learned Mr. Glenn's house was 
destroyed, and going into Charles street, 1 saw the mob 



28 

labouring as if they were hired by the day to raize it 
to the ground. On my way to the church, I again passed 
up the street and saw the laboureis still industriously 
engaged in the outrageous work of destruction. In my 
way up Fayette street, I met Mr. James A. Buchanan 
uttering terms of honest indignation at the prostration 
of all law and civil right and declaring with the aid of 
twenty men he would check the mob or sacrifice his life. 
As I returned from Church, T met an oEicer of the 
militia, of whom I asked where this work of destruc- 
tion was to stop, or words to that effect, lie said, be 
had given an order to the soldiers under his command, 
to assemble early on Sunday morning and not six men 
had obeyed the order. I hastened home, and afier nearly 
an hour''s work upon a musket, which I had bought in 
the late war to be drilled with, made it fit for use. Saon 
after I went out to ascertain whether an armed force 
could not be rallied to wrest the city from the hands of a 
lawless mob. 

But I did not meet with three persons with feelings 
similiar to my own, and returned home, impressed 
with the painful fact, that those whose duty it was to 
protect the persons and property of the citizens were 
nearly all under the influence of a paraliziiig panic: 

5. On Monday morning I learned that Mr. Morris' 
house was attacked in the night, and found upon ap- 
proaching it, that the work of destruction was going on, 
and the labourers in the house not a few. The servants 
of Mr. Morris had been with Mrs. Alexander Sunday eve- 
ning to express their fears for their master's property, . 
but we thought them groundless. The position of Mr. 
Morris, was so different from that of the persons against 
whom the popular fury w^as excited, he had no connexion 
with the Bank of Maryland, but as the friend of the 
creditors; and induced again.st his wishes to become the 
trustee by the solicitations of some of the large creditors; 
I could not have been induced to believe that one so 
wholly disconnected with the Bank, aiid the desti uction 
"whii h had fallen upon so large a portion of our citizens, 
could possibly have excited the ire of the mob; so far, as 
to plunder and destroy his property, and tiiis belief I 
expressed to all who declared their feors that his house 
would be visited so soon as Mr. Johnson's was destroyed. 
I saw that my opinion was, unfortunately, erroneous, 



29 

I say unfortunately, for !iad I cntcrtaiiicd a difTerpntopln. 
ion, 1 had it in my power, and would have saved much 
of the valuable properly which he lost. A meeting of 
the citizens was called to meet at the Exchange on 
on Monday, the hour I do not remember. On my way 
I visited Mr. Morris' house, but turninjj my back with 
horror and dis;i;r^st upon the works of iniquity, I hasten- 
ed to the meeting, resolved to do eveiy thing in my pow- 
er to stop the ruin and dii^giace of Baltimore. 

On the way I asked myself, who is there in the city, 
who having the will, has popularity enough to rally the 
citizens, and induce them to shake off <he panic which 
had bound them in Lilliputian ties, restore tlie authority 
of the laws, and secure every man his own and his neigh- 
bours property. In taking this view, my mind was di- 
rected toGenl. Samuel Smith; he had been, it is true, 
some time out of public view, bul 1 recollected for more 
ihan 30 years he had been the most popular man in the 
city and county of Baltimore, and I resolved at once to 
bring his name before the meeting. Our peril and com- 
mon danger had brought together a large number of our 
citizens when I entered the Exchange, but to nty utter 
astonishment, no one had talien the chair, though several 
I believe had been named and invited to ii. It was too 
obvious that the panic 1 have before mentioned, still ex- 
isted. Mr. Sidney Winder, now a member of the Legis- 
lature, being near the stand, I said, "Sir, take tht- chair," 
he replied, "I am too young a man to take tiie chair in 
such an assembly, "to which I replied, with some warmth 
"Sir, no one else is disposed to take the chair, and you 
roust, as I wish to ofTer a resolution to the meeting" He 
took his seat, and I proposed a committee of two should 
be nominated to wait on Genl. Samuel Smith, and solicit 
his aid in our present situation — no one opposed the pro- 
position, and Mr. C. Keener and myself were appointed 
to wait on Genl, Smith, and in the name of the UiCeting, 
invite him to attend. 

We first went to his house in V.'ater street, but he had 
not come home from the country. We returned, and af- 
ter reporUng to the meeting thst he was not in town, { 
proposed that adding a third person to the comniittee, we 
should be directed lo wait upon the General at MoHta- 
bella, his country residence, and invite him in — this was 
responded to, I believe unanimously. 1 namad Mr. Co- 



.*? 







lumbus OU^oiinell, and we pioceedtd as rapiJl)- as we 
could upon our mission. 

General Smith was out upon his farm, but soon came in, 
and I infoi med him we were sent as a committee from an 
assemblage of his fellow eiuzens to consult upon the best 
means of checkiug the future destruction of the mob. He 
replied, 1 am forgotten Sir, in Baltimore, and can be of no 
service to you; any influence I may have iiad upon the citi- 
zens is all lost, or words to that effect. I replied, we 
thought differently from him, our reliance was upon him; he 
then observed, if you will give me time to change my coat, 
I will accompany you, 1 have never hesitated, through a 
long life, to serve my country in any situation I have been 
called upon to occupy; and I will not now reform. 

Taking him in the carriage, we drove as rapidly as we 
could, the work of desfruciion then going on in Mr. 
Morris' house, and all who were known to be active en 
Saturday night, threatened with tar and feathers for 
their persons, and destruction to their property; not a 
moment was to be lost. We arrived very soon at ihe ex- 
change, and when General Smith entered the Hall, he 
was welcomed with, I believe, a universal burst ot ap- 
plause thrice repeated. 

When General Smith was permitted to speak, he said, 
"Fellow citizens, I ask not yout applause, but I do ask 
for 50 bayonets, and give me them and I will put down 
the mob, or sacrifice my life in the attempt " This declac- 
tion met with another burst of applause, and was follow- 
ed by an offer of any number of men he required. 

I paw from the reception of General Smith, that the pan- 
ic-spell had been dissipated by his presence, and that the 
mob which had kept peihaps 50 thousand souls under the 
influence of the most aliject and degrading fear, had been 
banished the city I hoped forever. 

Ihe preceding observations and narrative of facts are in- 
tended as replies to the third and fourth interrogatories. I 
will now reply to the 5lh and 6th interrogatories. 1 wit- 
nessed nearly the whole of the proceedings of the Charles 
street mob, as it is called, from the throwing of the first 
stone to the marchingof the occupants to jail, and I have no 
iiesitation in stating as my fiim belief, both mobs migjit 
have been prevented by the show or use of fifty bayo- 
nets, at the proper time, and my impression is, that had 



31 

proper mmsutcs been taken, not a dollar's worth of pro- 
pertv would have been destroyed, nor a hie lost 

The Mayor m^antto do his duty, and had he depend- 
ed upon his own jud-ement rather than the opinions of 
his fiiends, who smrounded him, I believe he mpht have 
prevented the mislortunes which have occurred, liis 
first effort to preserve the laws, on Friday night, was 
manly and patriotic. But he did not see that to prevent 
the sheddin- of blood it was necessary to show the mob 
that they could not and would not be permitted to tram- 
ple upon the laws, and destroy the property of indii-id- 
uals with impunity, it was the only true humanity, tc 
impi ess them with the fact, by a show of arms on Satur- 
day evening. The American people are educated with 
a reverence for the laws which is not easily effaced, and 
the boldest hesitated in their first attempt to violate them. 
So soon, therefore, as it was known that General Smith 
was at the head of an armed force, the mob expired, and 
many I have reason to believe, who were active in the 
mob, stepped foruard to restore order. I saw the Mayor 
on Sunday morning at his own house, wishing to know 
his plans to restore order, but I found him physically 
broken down in mind and body, and incapable of doing 
any thing to arrest the mob, and himself an object f^r 
vengeancpjwhichthe mob did not conceal,and which they 
executed in part by the destruction of his property. 
Ebernezer L. Finley, being sworn, answered: 
To the 1st question, he answers, that he is a citizen of 
Baltimore, that he is an Attorney at Law; and that he^was in 
th« city of Baltimore in the month of August 1835, and 
particularly on the 7lh, 8tli, and part of the 9th of August 
of that month. 

To the 2d question, he answers, that he was an eye wit- 
ness to most of the proceedings of the mob on the nights 
of Friday the 7lh and Saturday the 8th of August 1836. 
He had been aware for several days antecedent, from his 
own personal observation and intercourse— from several 
most iuflammitory placards which were shown to him by 
Jesse Hunt, Esq. the then Mayor, and from general rumor, 
that the city was in a most inflammatory state of feeling, 
and that tumults were to be apprehended. Residing at his 
country seat on the edge, but within the limits of the city, 
he was not present at Monument Square on the night ot 
Wednesday the 5lh and Thursday the 6th of August; but 



82 

hnvino^ been inrormf*^ on ihe niornings ensuing those re- 
spt'clive nig!i1s, tluit riotous asseisblagcs had taken place in 
front of Revenly Johnson's House in iMonument Square on 
tliose niglits, and i!i^t the Mayor had addressed them, be- 
seeching Ihein to 'lisjjf-rse, wi'hout calling lo his aid, the 
active interposition of the vvatchraen and police under his 
command, he became satisfied that tlie mob would be em- 
boldened; and tiiat the ensuing night would shew it increased 
in number and more excited and conlirmed in their determi- 
nation to commit outrages. He repaired to Monument 
Square on Friday night the Tth Angust, a short time after 
dark. On arriving tlsere, he found a numerous, most excited 
and liotous assembly, and Jesse lluiit, Esq. the then Mayor, 
addressing them from the north front door of Barnum's 
Hotel. He was vindicating himself, as a Director of the 
Bank of Maryland, from any knowledge of, or participation 
in any frauds that might have been committed in the man- 
agement of that institution. His speech produced noeff'ect. 
He was repeatedly interrupted by persons in the crowd — 
vilified, and hi? personal representations and official entrea- 
ties for them to disperse were utterly disregarded. He was 
then advised by tiie deponent and others of his pereonal 
friends, to descend from the steps, and enforce obedience 
lo the laws, by the aid of the watchmen, whom, it was un- 
derstood, were on the ground. He did descend, and made 
one more appeal to the mob from the portico of Reverdy 
Johnson's house. The reply was, vollies of stones which 
broke most of the windows of Mr. Johnson's house, and 
from which the Mayor and those around him narrowly es- 
caped. The Watchmen, in number about thirty aided by 
a number of citizens, were then foimed in line on the pj^ve- 
ment in front of Mr. Johnson's house, and repeated attempts 
were made to force the square. They were ineffectual, and 
stones continued to be thrown at the windows, until about 
1- o'clock, when the mob, as if exhausted and satisfied with 
that nights work, gradually dispersed; intending, as was 
deponents impression, to renew their efforts the ensuing 
night (Saturday) with increased number and violence. The 
number assembled in tl>e Square on (hat night (Friday,) in 
deponents opinion varied from 1000 to 1500 of the number, 
he does not think theie were more than one lOU active ope- 
ratives of the mob; the majority of the number, the passive, 
appeared by their conduct to countenance and encourage it, 
as, at every effort which was made lo force the operatives 
of the mob, who were in front, from the square, the rece- 



33 

<led presented an unyielding body, and many of them open- 
ly denounced Mr. Johnson and others as bank robbers 

To the 3d. question, he answers, that for some time 
antecedent, it was generally understood and known by 
the citizens, that anonymous letters were sent, and most 
inflammatory placards posted up at the corners of some 
the streets, &c. denouncing vengsance againt those who 
were designated as having robbed the widow and the or- 
phan — some of these deponent understood, were in the 
possession of Judge Brice; others were shown to him 
at the Mayor's office, by Jesse Hunt, Esq. then Mayor; 
who, in addition to them, and the representations of many 
gentlemen, had ocular evidf^nce on Friday night, the 7th 
of August, that a combination was formed for the purpose 
of breaking the public peace and of destroying the pro- 
perty of citizens. 

To the 4th question., he answers, that he has no per- 
sonal knowledge of the proceedings of the mob on Wed- 
nesday and Thursday nights (the 5th and 6th August:) that 
on Friday morning the 7th August, having understood 
that the Mayor intended to call a Town Meeting at the 
Exchange, and having been for many years on terms of 
intimate acquaintance and personal friendship with him, 
deponent called and had an interview with the Mayor at 
his office. The Mayor then showed to him several (he 
thinks three) placards of the most incendiary character, 
which had been posted up at the corners of some of the 
streets. He then asked the Mayor what course he in- 
tended to pursue. The reply was, that he had called a 
town meeting to devise measures for the suppression of 
any further tumults. Deponent represented to him that 
a town meeting would only add to the excitement, and 
would result in no good; that the only mode to put down 
the mob was by an armed force; and advised him to coun- 
termand the Older for the town meeting He replied that 
notices had already been issued and distributed, and that 
it was too late to countermand the order. Deponent at- 
tended the town meeting, at which the Mayor presided, 
ileselutions were introduced by Wm. George Reed, de- 
claratory of the necessity of order and obedience to the 
laws, but no definite action or mode to sustain their pur- 
pose. An additional resolution was then proposed by 
James H. Thomas, requiring the books and papers of 
the bank to be delivered up by the trustees to the credit- 
5 



34 

ors and carried by acclamation. The meeting became » 
scene of confusion and was adjourned. On that night 
the watchmen, by the order of tlie Mayor, were assem- 
bled in Monument Square. How utterly inefficient they 
were for the maintenance of the civil authority, depo- 
nent has already stated in his answer to the 2d question. 
On Saturday morning the 8th August, deponent received 
a message from the Mayor requesting his attendance at 
the Mayor's office, at 11 o'clock, at which time he re- 
paired thither, and found about 60 or 70 gentlemen col- 
lected; the Mayor presided as Chairman. He staled to 
the meeting the occurrences of the previous days and 
nights, and how ineffectual had been the efforts to pre- 
serve order. He asked of the gentlemen present their 
advice and assistance. Various propositions were made 
and discussed, amongst them, was one to order out an 
armed force, which was over ruled; and one by William 
George Reed to swear in those present and others as a 
constabulary force, to be provided with clubs, or batons 
of wood, which was adopted. A proposition was then 
made to call out one hundred armed mounted volunteers, 
which was carried, after being amended, by striking out 
the word ^'■urmed.^^ The meeting then adjourned to meet 
and organize at 5 o'clock, at the Mayor's office. Depo- 
nent volunteered as one of the mounted men, and on re- 
pairing a short time after 5 P. M to the place of assem- 
blage of the troop, whieh was in Calvert street, in front 
of the City Spring, he there found the Sheriff of Balti- 
more County, and about forty- five mounted citizens, who 
requested deponent to take the command of the troop, 
which he did, and marched to IMonumeut Square. On 
visiting the different avenues leading to the square, w^hich 
it was deemed important to guard, to prevent the mob 
from getting into the square, where R.Johnson's house 
(which was the main object of attack) was situated, he 
found but small bodies of citizens on foot, at no one time 
in deponent's opinion, amounting in the aggregate to 
more than one hundred, and provided with small sticks 
or batons, which appeared to excite the ridicule of the 
by standers. To strengthen these, deponent detached 
members of the troop to the different avenues, about four- 
teen men, with which he stationed himselfin front of the 
monument, from whence he could watch the different 
avenues, and operate in their support whenever circum- 



/ 



35 

stances might require it. The Mayor and Judge Brice 
took their position on Mrs, Beamer's steps in the square, 
with General S. C, Leakin, Col. Henry Myers, and Gen. 
Anthony Miltenberger (who was then President of the 
1st. Branch of the City Council of Baltimore) acting as 
Aids to the Mayor. The mob soon began to assemble in 
large numbers, and about dusk commenced the attack 
with biick bats and stones, which continued with but 
small intermissions, until about 10 o'clock; vvhen receiv- 
ing information that a large body was approaching, armed 
with stones, to attack the detachment at the intersection 
of Calvert and Market streets, deponent rode down with 
his troop and joined the small detachment which he had 
left there to support the citizens on foot, who had been 
placed there as a guard, under the command of Captain 
Cheves. The attack was soon made upon us, with a 
volley of paving stones and brick bats, vi^hich knocked 
down Captain Cheves, dismounted Mr. John Tensfield, 
Mr. Evan Thomas and several of the troop, and wound- 
ed nearly every man and horse in it. The troop charged 
and repulsed them. A short time after, a fire was made 
by some one in the mob, and a pistol or rifle ball pene- 
trated through the hat of Mr. J. Ridgely, deputy Sheriff, 
who was a member of the troop. 

Finding the odds so unequal against us, and the mob 
increasing in numbers and violence, and several members 
of the troop stating that they could not stand by depo- 
nent unless they were furnished with arms; he rode to 
the square, represented our situation to the Mayor, and 
to Judge Bridge, and asked for arms. They were fur- 
nished to us. The attacks of the mob were continued 
and barricades were erected by them in Market street, 
behind which, when the troop charged, they entrenched 
themselves and assailed us. Finding that the attempt 
to penetrate into the square was repulsed, a large body 
of the mob detached itself and proceeded to attack John 
Glenn's house, in north Charles street, which was soon 
in their possession, and the work of destruction com- 
menced. On receiving information of the fact, deponent 
proceeded with the troop in reserve, and successfully 
charged through the mob at Glenn's house. His num- 
bers, however, were so inadequate, that as soon as he 
forced his way through, the mob immediately closed up 
behind — he not having a sufficient number to occupy the 



36 

width of the street. Accordino; to deponent's opinion 
and belief, the number collected in front of Glenn's 
house — adiveand passive, was between two and three thou- 
sand. During so anxious and exciting a period, he cannot 
be precise as to hours, but his impression and belief is, that 
it was about one or half past one A. M. that he made his 
last charge on the mob in front of Glenn's house, in antici- 
pation of another charge, they had foimed a barricade across 
Charles street, and in front of the house, out of the 
broken furniture. In leaping the barricade, deponent's right 
leg was fractured. On reaching the square, he was lifted 
oflf his horse and carried into Barnum's, where his wounds 
were dressed, and about day-light on Sunday morning, con- 
veyed by Mr. John Ketilewell in a carriage to deponent's 
country seat. He of course has no personal knowledge of 
the proceedings of the mob after that time: but in the course 
of that day a number of gentlemen deponent's friends and 
some of whom had been members of the troop under his 
command, came out to his house, and informed him of the 
excesses then being committed by the mob — that the Mayor 
had issued his proclamation surrendering the city to the mob, 
and denouncing the citizens who had used asms the pre- 
ceding night, as having done so against his advice and au- 
thority — and that the mob threatened vengeance against de- 
ponent amongst others; and were expected @ut every mo- 
ment to carry their threat into execution. They procured 
carriages and on that afternoon removed deponent and his 
family into the country. 

In further answer to the latter part of the 4th Ques- 
tion, Deponent would refer the committee to the follow- 
ing proclamation of the Mayor of the 9th August, Sunday, 
which was calculated to paralize, and as he is informed did 
paralize the friends of order in the city, and emboldened 
the mob, who thenceforward proceeded with perfect im- 
punity, until the reaction took place on Monday after- 
noon, the 10th. 

PROCLAMATION. 

Ma3^or's Office, Baltimore Aug. 9, 1835. 

Once more I appeal to my fellow-citizens, to stay the 
progress of violence, dind prevent a repetition of tke lamenta- 
ble events of tlie last night. Called by your free suffrages 
to the Mayoralty of your city, and charged by you with the 
preservation of its order, I have throughout my whole offi- 
cial career, and up to the present moment, labored, unceas- 



S7 

ingly to promote that object by ilie force of reason and the 
unarmed hand of law. I have deeply deplored the disre- 
gard with which my earnest appeals have been met, and 
the resort to deadly weapons, against my judgment mid ad- 
vice, has been unfortunately taken. 

It remains for the prudent, the pacifiic, the lovers of good 
order, those who would not expose the property of the 
city to pillage, to arouse before it ^s too late, nnd restore to 
us our recent boasted tranquility, and its .accompanying 
happiness and prosperity. And in furlherance of this most 
valuable end, I earnestly entreat the orderly and well dispo- 
sed, except such as may be engaged in aiding the civil autho- 
rity, to remain at home, and prevent t'le younger members of 
their family from resorting to tumultuary assemblages. 

JE.SSE HUNT, Mayor. 

[n connection with this subject, and in justification of 
those citizens who co-operated with deponent in defence 
of the civil authorities, he would state, that on his le- 
turn to the city, he addressed to Jesse Hunt, Esq. late 
mayor, the following letter: 

Baltimore, 19th September, 1835. 

Dear Sir, 

A confinement to my room for the last six weeks 
from a fractured leg and other wounds, received in re- 
sisting the mob on the night of the 8th and the morning 
of the 9th of August, has prevented me from addressing 
you at an earlier period, on a subject of some impor- 
tance, as it involves not only your reputation, but that 
of the gentlemen, who gallantly co-operated with me, 
under your orders, on that night and morning, in the de- 
fence of our city. Whilst suffering from my wounds, 
and absent from the city, I read with surprize your pro- 
clamation of (Sunday) the 9th of August, in which you 
disavow having furtiished us with arms or authorized us to 
fire. As preliminary to the two Queries to which I have 
to request your answer, permit me to recal to your re- 
collection some facts. About half past 10 o'clock, on the 
night (Saturday) of the 8th August, after successfully 
repulsing a large detachment of the mob, armed with 
paving stones and brick bats, vvlto attacked the detach- 
ment (oi unarmed citizens) at the intersection of Calvert 



3S 

and Market streets, from which atlack, Captain Clieves, 
was knocked down, and carried off insensible — Lieu- 
tenant Tenstield, Mr. Evan Thomas, and others of my 
troop dismounted, and almost every member of it 
wounded — I returned with my troop to Monument 
Square, where you was stationed and represented to 
you, "That I could no longer be responsible for the 
safety of the city, unless we were furnished M'ith arms, 
and were authorized to fire; that my mounted men were 
knocked off their horses and severely wounded by 
stones from the mob; and that unless they ivere furnished 
with arms and authorized to fire ^ they would not stand by 
me." 

In answer to this representation. 

1st. Were not arms furnished to us by your orders. 

2nd. Did you, not authorize u§ to fire 
I ask for this inlormaiion not in justification of myself 

My motto is "Fay ce que doit, advienne pouvra." I 
ask it, from a|sense of duty to the gallant few, who on 
that night and morning, perilled their lives under the 
orders and in support of the civil autharities. 
I am very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

E. L. FINLEY. 

Jesse Hunt, Esquire. 

Late Mayor of the City of Baltimore. 

To this letter your deponent received the following 
answer, and begs leave to direct the attention of the com- 
mittee now particularly to the passages which are un- 
descored. 

Baltimore, Sep. 28, 1835. 

Dear Sir: — Absence from the city, apd other engagements, 
have prevented an earlier reply to your communication of 
the 19th instant. You slate that you read with surprise my 
Proclamation of Sunday the 9th of August, in which {dis- 
avow having furnished your troop with arms, or authorized 
them to fire. In tlie communication to which you refer, no 
especial reference is made to the Horsemen, but it embraced 
all who used fire arms upon (hat occasion. 'The only dis- 
avowal I intended to make, was the order for the intro- 
duction of fire arms, which was given by Judge Brice to 
the Sheriff some time previous to the time whm you made 
the statement to which you allude. 



39 

If it was inferred from my communication that the persons 
who used fire arms had done so without authority from any 
legal source, I assura you that such an inference was to no 
one a source of mere sincere regret than to myself At the 
first moment of my being informed that some individual had 
put this interpetration upon my Proclamation, I issued an 
explanatory Card, (which it would appear you have not 
seen,) stating that the persons who used fire arm-' upon the 
preceding Saturday night were empowered so to do by com- 
petent authority, but that the order did not emanate from 
me. I did not then, nor do I now, thiolc that I properly pos- 
sessed the DOwer to order an indiscriminate arming of the 
persons present. When by the utmost exertion of the 
civil authority, the public peace could no longer be preser- 
ved, I then had authority to call upon the commandmg of- 
ficer of the Division, Brigade, or Regiment, as the case 
might be; this 1 was early informed by the Siieriff, had al?o 
been done by Judge Brice. Beyond the requisition in the 
manner above stated, I do not think my authority extended, 
but when informed that Judge Brice had issued an order 
for the arming of the persons then present, it was not my 
province to question his authority; I was bound to believe 
that it was ample. In this situation I was either to abandon 
my post or to ^ive such directions in obedience to his orders 
as my imperative duty seemed to require, he^ice I remained 
during the whole night, and gave the most positive instructions 
to the officers in command and also to many indiviriuals to 
makeuse of firearms with the utmost discretion, and only in 
the last extremity In answer to your first query, I would 
state, that some time previous to your making the statement 
respecting the necessity of being furnished with firearms 
the Sheritf had already partially procured fire arms in obe 
dience to the order of Judge Brice, and therefore I have 
again to repeat that the orders to furnish the Horsemen as 
veell as other persons with fire arms emanated from Judge 
Brice without hisiiaving consulted me upon the subject. 

In answer to your second query, it is my impression / re- 
marked that I relied upon your prudence and discretion not to 
ustfire arms except in case of urgent necessity, or words to 
that amount, which of course ivas authority for their use in 
the manner specified, and I am sure that you did not order 
arms to be used unless in your opinion the necessity existed. 
By reference to my address to the Citizens of Baltimore of 
August 13th you will find that I stated expressly, that al- 
though I did not give the order for the introduction of fire- 



40 

arms, I deemed it my imperative duty to remain during the 
night, and give the most positive, directions^ that they should 
be used only in the last extremity. 

I am very respectfully, yours &c. 

JESSE HUNT. 
To Col. E. L. Finley. 

In conclusion of his answer to the 4th Question, De- 
ponent would state, as an act of justice to Jesse Hunt, 
that he has known him intimately for many years; and in 
all the private relations of life, no man has borne a more 
unblemishfid character; that so far frombeing deficient in 
personal courage, no one manifested more firmness or 
perilled himself more in endeavoring to disperse the 
mob on Friday night [he 7th August, and that General 
S. C. Leakin and deponent succeeded with great diffi- 
culty in rescuing him from the most of the mob about 
12 o'clock, that night: But he was not equal to the 
emergency in which he was officially placed. He was 
afraid to risk his popularity, by the adoption of the only 
energetic measures which could, as was proved in the 
end, disperse ihem, and worn down both mentally and 
physically, by the labours and anxiety of the preceding 
days and nights, he surrendered himself a passive victim 
in the hands of a few advisers, upon whose responsibility 
the mob's excesses on Sunday and Monday, should 
rest. , 

To the 5th Question deponent answers, as his positive 
conviction, that if one hundred armed men had been or- 
dered out, that the excesses of the mob on Saturday 
night and Sunday, would have been prevented, without 
the necessity of tiring a single shot, simply by their array, 
and a knowledge on the part of the mob, that they were 
authorized to fire: in confirmation of this opinion, he 
would call the attention of the committee to the fact, that 
notwithstanding the various attempts that were made, 
none of the mob succeeded in penetrating into the Monu- 
ment Square on Satarday night. 

To the 6th Question deponent answers, that it was gen- 
erally understood, reported and believed, that the mob 
designed to destroy the property of other persons — that 
a mob, attacked the house of this deponent on Monday 
afternoon, the lOth of August, and injured, stole or de- 
stroyed a large portion of his furniture, &c. 



41 

Joseph] fVilley, being sieorn^ answers: 

To the first proposition my reply is, that 1 am a citi- 
zen of Baltimore, and my occupation that of a dealer in 
Hardware; that during the period of the riots in August, 
I was present in that metropolis. 

To the second interrogatory, I answer, — I was an ob- 
server of the proceedings of the mob, from its inception, 
thoughout its various stages of excitement, until its ca- 
tastrophe in the demolition of a portion of the property 
for which your memorialists seek indemnity. It is im- 
possible to answer that branch of the interrogatory with 
any other degree of accuracy, than that founded upon 
conjecture, which requires the number of persons who 
composed the mob, or who openly countenanced and en- 
couraged it. In giving testimony to this department of 
the inquiry instituted by the committee, it may bo well 
to premise, that with great unanimity the citizens of Bal- 
timore were deep in the conviction that the individuals 
connected with the Bank of Maryland, had mismanaged 
the trust and abased the confidence reposed iR,them; a 
large majority were impressed with the belief, that this 
mismanagement was not the result of an error of judg- 
ment, or the product of a loosing scheme of speculations, 
but an open abandonment of moral obligations and a pre- 
determined resolution to defraud and plunder the dupes 
of their confidence Many of the creditors of the Sank 
and those particularly in the lower walks of life, to 
whom the accommcdaiing spirit of its administration had 
illured and attracted to its vaults, were embittered with 
this conviction, and were sedulously inflaming the 
mind of the public, not only with their own losses and 
misfortunes, but with exaggerated, as w-ell as true stories 
of the beggared condition of the widows and orphans, — 
this for months was a common, coristant and universal 
thpnie, among all classes, and in all places — the almost 
simultaneous disasters of the Maryland Savings Institu- 
tion, the Susquehanna Bank and Bridge Company, the 
U. S. Insurance Company and the Central Savings Insti- 
tution, had a tendency to aggravate the alieady excited 
condition of the public mind — there were thousands of 
our citizens, and some among the most reflecting and 
elevated, who regarded these corporations as one exten- 
sive scheme or combination to defraud — seeking impu- 
nity from guilt, under the forms and imperfections of the 
6 



42 

law — a large portion of our citizens, if not advocating 
openly and directly, attacks upon the men's domicils con- 
nected with these institutions, and aggressions upon 
their persons, by the infuriated hand of an inflamed pop- 
ulace, would have viewed those outrages with compla- 
cency, nor would they have interposed their influence in 
their suppression. Regarding all individuals, therefore, 
entertaining these sentiments, as giving countenance and 
encouragement to the mob — it was a mob, founded on 
unexampled popularity, and rising from the broad base 
of public opinion, and a sense of plundering outrages. 

A few days preceding the coramotioBS referred to, 
three distinct circumstances occurred to hasten the out- 
burst of violence, in which your memorialists sufFerred. 
The (/hief Justice of the City Court impressed with 
the belief that Baltimore was the residence of a large 
number of gamblers concentrated from all portions of the 
United iStates, (from doubtless the purest of motives,) 
issued a circular reccommending socities to be formed 
for their suppression;the project met with decided opposi- 
tion, from those directly or indirectly interested, and 
every exertion was made by many, to place such associa- 
tions as attempted to form themselves on this recom- 
mendation, in an evil light before the community — the 
force of iheir exertions, frustrated their formation, and 
produced great excitement. 

The Vicksburg outrages and the successful applica- 
tion of what is denominated Lynch Law, followed up- 
on the heal of these exciting causes — like an epedemic, 
it took with the deceased portion of our community, and 
recommended itself to adoption by precept and example. 
This was the remedy to he applied to the delinquent 
banks; and had its distinct and peculiar influence, at 
that moment upon the popular mind This was the com- 
bustible condition of society in Baltimore a short time 
preceding the three days in August, — inflamatory placards 
calling upon an outraged community to rise and redress 
their wrongs, were posted about. 

On J^Ferinesday the 5th of that month, a few individu- 
als collected at night, before Mr. Johnson's house — the 
report of this gathering was rumoured through town on 
Thursday morning. On Thursday night, many attract- 
ed by curiosity were directed to the Square, and greatly 
augmented the number. On this occasion, windows 



43 

were broken in Mr, Johnson's house, notwithstanding 
the Mayor used every exertion to maintain the peace 
and majesty of the latv. From this moment the clouds 
were gathering with a menacing and nearer and more 
darkened aspect. On Friday morning the report of 
this assemblage was general and alarming; the fer- 
ment was evidently hastening to its explosion. The affairs 
of the Bank during that day, was amply discussed; and on 
Friday night, not less than 1000 to 1500 men assembled in 
the Square. — As the night advanced and the crowd thi.'k- 
ened, the people became turbulent, and occasionally a feiv 
stones were discharged at the windows of Mr. John- 
son's dwelling. The Mayor, at this moment, ascended 
the northern steps of Barnum's Hotel, and harangued the 
multitude with dissuasive energy and eloquence, he was 
followed by fFalter Jones and William Preston, whose ad* 
dresses partook of the same dissuasive character. The 
harangues of the gentlemen were constantly interrupted by 
inflamatory interrogatories, in^o the affairs of the Bank, and 
the character ot the individuals implicated in its proceed- 
ings. — Stones were beginning to be thrown with more vio- 
lence and frequency; and the wave and spirit of the multi- 
tude became more agitated. The Mayor collected around 
him a few gentlemen with a guard of TFatchmen, and vari- 
ous assaults were made upon points, or knots m the crowd 
that appeared most turbulent — they were quickly dispersed, 
but melting away in the crowd, they were as soon united. 
This mode of attack was abandoned as fruitless, when the 
friends of order united in an extended chain, with the inten- 
tion of advancing in line and sweeping the streets; after 
various attempts to clear the area in front of Mr Johnson's, 
the plan was abandoned, the line being easily broken, by 
the denser mass opposed to it, as the night was advancing, 
and many of the peaceful citizens were returning from the 
disgraceful scene of commotion, the actors became more 
exposed to observation, their spirit subsided, and they dis- 
persed with no other violence, than the demolishing of 
windows, and giving and receiving a few bruises in the con- 
test — of the number engaged on this occasion, (being Friday 
night) I judge there were not more than one hundred active 
operators, composed chiefly of youths fVom 18 to 20 years 
of age, who were encouraged by not less then six or eight 
hundred, who took no part in their dispersion, but stood in 
the character of spectators. On Saturday night, no man 



44 



can accurately estimate the numbers, wlio were found ac- 
tively engaiJi'ed with the foot guards at the various passes 
leading to the Square, while tl'.e horse guard, moving from 
point to point, met with assailants in every street, who 
were discharging missiles of every rlescription, and on se- 
veral occasions were fired on vvitli pistols. Of all present 
who were not united with the guards, five thousand would 
not be an overwrought estimate. 

To the 8d interrogatory 1 answer, That the civil authori- 
ty and the citizens, knew generally, that the mob was about 
putting forth its strength in overt acts of violence — so deep- 
ly was the danger impressed upon my mind, that on Fri- 
day morning 1 went to the Mayor's office to inform him 
of the determination of the populace to wreak vengeance 
on the obnoxious individuals. Mr. Hunt was not at his 
office. I proceeded to his house, informed him of the 
approaching danger. I then and there proffered him the 
services of a corps of artillery that I command, and sug- 
gested to him the propriety of having the regulars of the 
fort, under the command of Captain Thompson, drawn 
within the suburbs of the city lo act in sustaining the 
civil arm, should their services be required — I also re- 
marked, that the mob would be more awed by the pre- 
sence of regular troops, than by uniformed volunteers, 
and would be IHiely to act with more independence and 
vigour, in case of being called into requisition. Mr. 
Hunt thanked me for the proffer, and remarked, he would 
consult his friends upon the suggestion. 

To the 4th intei rogatory, I state — that on some time 
during the day of Friday the 7th of August, I either saw 
or heard of the proclamation of the Mayor, calling a town 
meeting at the Exchange. 1 resolved to attend; in pass- 
ing down Market street, I met with Mr. Hunt, stepping 
out of the door of his Sadler's Shop, he caught me by 
the hand, and expressed pleasure in seeing his friends 
rallying to sustain him. I went with him to the Ex- 
change, he appeared restless and agitated, and regretted 
deeply, that he was left alone in so trying an emergen- 
cy, he complained that Judge Brice had left the city,and 
devolved the entire responsibility of maintaining the re- 
pose of the city and the majesty of the laws upon him- 
self. I asked him what plans of defence he had adopted, 
he answered that he had adopted no plans, but would 



45 

leave their adoption to his fellow citizens. A large meet- 
ing of the citizens assembled at the Exchange; they were 
organized by calling the Mayor to the chair, appointing 
six Vice Presidents and two Secretaries. 

On motion a committee was appointed, to draft re- 
solutions, expressive of the sense of the meeting — G. 
W. Read, in a few minutes after, came forward with reso- 
lutions, evidently prepared before-hand, and read them, 
they were strikingly well written, and contained in 
their preamble, a beautiful exposition of the nature of 
represe^itative government, as contra distinguished from 
the despotic form. In the former, he stated mobs were 
never justifiable, in the latter they were to be sometimes 
tolerated. The resolutions however closed, with advising 
the citizens to demean themselves in an orderly and pa- 
cific manner, and recommended parents, masters and 
guardians, to restrahi their children, apprentices and 
wards from running out at night during the excitement; 
these were the pureile plans, adopted by that meeting, 
which filled me if not with disgust, at least with disap- 
pointment. 

Mr. Thomas, a gentleman distinguished by this oc- 
casion, made a short speech, insisting with much ve- 
hemence, that his fello'.v citizens would never be sat- 
isfied, until the Trustees, whom he stated had been 
illegally appointed, siiould surrender the Books of the 
Bank into the hands of the creditors, he accordingly 
appended a resolution to that effect, which appeared 
as a rider to the resolutions of Mr. Read, it was carried 
with (leafning applause and wonderful unanimity. I af- 
terwards met the Mayor, who asked me my opinion of the 
proceedings — I told him they would rather excite than 
repress exiitement — that they were ''milk and water;" 
that the people at this crisis, did not want homilies upon 
morality, and politics read to them; that they would 
prove inefficient, and that I knew no other mode of con- 
trouling a mob, but by the sirong arm of power — he ex- 
pressed a hope for the best. The events of that night 
I have already narrated to you in reply to the second 
proposition. 

On Saturday morning I called at the office of James 
M. Buchanan, and interchanged opinions with him, upon 
the means of defence — he suggested the idea of going 
to the Mayor and recommending our views to him; we 



46 

found the Mayor and General Anthony Miltenberger 
together. Coming from a quarter of Baltimore, perhaps 
more inflamed in their hosiility to the bank and its di- 
rectors than any other, I felt the deeper assured of the 
coming danger. We told him that to-night every thing, 
was to be apprehended, the laborers and mechanics 
would knock off early, that they would be paid their 
back wages, and the disaff'ected would come primed by 
intoxication for deeds of violence. He informed us that 
he had summoned individuals from the different wards 
to assemble in town meeting at 12 o'clock at the City 
Hall, to which Mr. Buchanan and myself had been in- 
vited, and to which he begged that he would be governed 
by the direction of his fellow citizens. I was forcibly 
struck with what I conceived, temporizing policy. { 
told him I did not approve of the course; that he was 
loosing time, that it was my opinion, he ought to issue 
his Proclamation instantly, advising the peaceable to 
keep within doors during the excitement, to inform them 
that the military were ordered out to strengthen the 
civil arm, and that all who approached the points of ex- 
pected attack, would be viewed as disturbers of the pub- 
lic repose and quiet. I again in the presence of Mr. 
Buchanan, Major Hall, and Tnomas H. Carroll, proffered 
him the services of my company — General Milten- 
berger who was present, remarked, that I reasoned 
very well, but it was evident I knew nothing of the 
policy of mobs; that he had been in the mob of 1S12, 
and knew that the appearance of a military man would 
excite the multitude and be the assured signal of an 
attack and their own destruclion. The Mayor doubted 
his authoiity to call out the military. I remarked to him 
the end would justify the means; that success in main- 
taining the peace, would exonerate the agent and the 
agencies employed in its preservation and that a failure 
to do so, would involve all of us in disgrace. I left 
the office with this declaration, which will be doubtless, 
remembered by Mr. Buchanan, "Mr. Hunt the only ar- 
gument to be addressed to a mob is the argument of fear." 
At 12 o'clock on Saturday,, ihe citizens met at the 
Council Chamber, Mr. Hunt in the chair, he stated in a 
feeling speech the condition of the times, his own em- 
barrassed situation, and begged them to advise and co- 
operate in maintaining the public repose and quiet. 



47 

Mr. Jonn Scott, Doctor Hall, Doctor Bond, Mr. Buch- 
anan, Mr. Norris, with others, were for fronting the 
danjrer with an armed band of citizens, in opposition 
to the bludjitpons reconimendt--d by Mi. Heed, and advoca- 
ted by others. 

In the interchange of opinions, it was asserted <hat the 
military could not be got out, the question was put, 
Captains Benzinger, Cheves, and myself, being in com- 
mand of miliiary companies, asked whether or not our 
men would turn out, Captain Benzinger replied, he could 
not get them out in uniiorm, but he thought they would 
turn out as citizens. Captain Cheves and myself volun- 
teered the services of our respective corps, armed and 
equipped by S o'clock on that evening. The milder mea- 
sures, however, were adopted. I was appointed to the 
command of a detachment, stationed at the intersection 
of Fayette and South streets, but through the solicita- 
tion of Col. Finley and Mr. Buchanan, joined the troop. 

To the third interrogation — I reply that the civil au- 
thority had ample means to have dispersed the mob, in 
the uniformed volunteer corps and armed citizens, who 
would doubtless have volunteered on the occasion, but 
the Mayor of the city governed in his views by his 
council of citizens committed an error in selecting the 
proper'means of defence. The decision of his private 
counsellor, General Miltenberger, and that of his public 
council, the convention, I have every reason to believe 
harmonized wih his own mild and pacific views, as he 
always manifested a repugnance to military suggestions. 

To the 6th question I can make no reply. Yielding to 
the advice of my family, and to the suggestions of my own 
judgment, of the certainty of personal danger, as crowds 
were collecting in groups about my residence, I left town 
on Sunday and did not return until Wednesday following. 
On SuKday morning I believe tliat it was wholly impracti- 
cable to have raised a military force. The shedding of 
blood on Saturday night had produced such indignation, 
particularly as it was understood, that the guard had aban- 
doned the batons, and raised fire arms on their own respon- 
sibility, that I have been told that no man could have reach- 
ed the place of meeting at the Major's office in uniform, 
without the certainty of being assaulted, particularly from 
the quarter ot the town where I reside. 



4S 

There is one circumstance, Mr. Chairman, rs the enquiry 
has taken so wide a range, that perhap=; ought not to be ne- 
glected, particularly as I lie character of an individual has 
suffered by unjust iinruitatio.'i. I allude to a charge made 
against Col. Bcnjaniin Hoivard, the then senior cosimanding 
officer in the absence of General Stewart, of I believe the 
only organized military force available on the occasion. 
At three o'clock on Sunday morning, 1 was called upon by 
sheriff Sanderson to serve a requisition drawn up by the 
Judges of the City Court upon that officer, who resided at 
his seat about a mile fro.n tlie scene of action. 

In passing out Calvert street, several squads of the mob 
who were then dispersing, endeavored (o arrest me, which 
determined me to leave my horse and return on foot— upoa 
arriving at tlie se-it of Col. Howard, it was with difficulty 
I awakened the family, Ihe Colonel appeared at the window, 
I announced to him the disasters of the night, and the object 
of my errand — he expressed his astonishment at the intelli- 
gence conveyed to him, but arose immediately, and entering 
into his study, wrote an order for the early meeting next 
morning of the detachment under his command, and deliv- 
ered it to me, informing him of the fatigue and the injury my 
horse sustained, and the liahility of my being captured should 
I be seen mounted on a worn down horse, I asked permission 
to leave him and walk into town, the Colonel complained of 
indisposition, but determined to accompany me, he did so, 
and in my presence and those of many otiiers, executed at 
Barnum's at half after three o'clock, all the details neces- 
sary to the prompt assemblage of military force, on Sun- 
day morning, not only without hesitancy, but with prompti- 
tude and despatch, fie himself obeyed that order, with 
corps of very few officers, not exceeding six or eight — 
some of these officers were maltreated on the way to their 
place of meeting. On Sunday morning the contagion of de- 
fection became universal, no man dare express his opinions. 
I myself was insulted and menaced in repairing a few steps 
from my dwelling to the barber's. The friends who met 
me, avoided me, as an unclean thing. 1 believe that it was 
wholly impracticable on Sunday, to order out the military, 
that any man who would have headed a band, or raised a 
flag to rally the defendeis of the law, would have been im- 
molated. The panic had seized upon every breast — a sense 
of personal danger had paralized the energies of the entire 
commnnity — resistance was vanquished, and it was the ex- 



49 

cess of a mob, unrestrained on Sunday night, that were car- 
rying- tiieir devastations wide and far tliroua;li the communi- 
ty, tliat produced a reaction upon the popular mind, and the 
momenta hand could he found with nerve enough 'to raise 
the standard of the law, it united under it the spirits dis- 
gusted with lawless proceedings. 

The chief error on Saturday night, was that with the 
mob, the gallant defenders of the city retired to their homes, 
breakin* up their military organizations. The sound portion 
of the ciiizt-ns could not be again organized — having no nu- 
cleus upon which to form, nor ol}if;ers under which to rally; 
had tlif military combinations combined until Sunday morn- 
ing, I believe a sufficient armed force could have been rallied 
to have prevented tlie excesses of ^iunday night. 

There is another gentleman, sir, I am anxious to place 
in his true standing before this committee, as his advice 
and counsel were chieliy instrumental, in the futile and 
disastrous measures of defence that were adopted, and 
particularly, as I have uniformly understood, and was 
yesterday informed by a gentleman, distinguished in pub- 
lic trusts, and who cannot lie, that he has denied all par- 
ticipation in the commendation of peaceful remedies, that 
he has constantly labored to throw the responsibilities of 
that council from him, that he endeavors to devolve upon 
Mr. Hunt the entire odium of inefficient remedies, and 
appear in the mane of the lion, when in truth, on that oc- 
casion, he wore the fleece of the lamb. At I o'clock on 
Sunday morning, passing down Fayette street, on return- 
ing from a charge in which was shed the blood of many 
deluded men, recognizing Gen, Miltenberger, I reigned 
in my horse and reproached him in the following terms: 
"Now General, you see tlie result of your mild and con- 
ciliatory measures, had they not been adopted, this blood 
would not have been shed:" he replied, "I have not changed 
my o;)inion, the use of arms is an error, and is the cause 
of the violence of the mob." Joseph Stapleton, who was 
present, retorted, tliat it was his pacific counsel that was 
the cause of blood shed, not the use of arms, had they 
been resorted to from the outset, the lives of the citizens 
would have been spared. 1 have no iriproper feelings to 
gratify — I am anxious, Mr. Chairman, to vindicate the 
Mayor, from the sole responsibility of the measures pur- 
sued in that crisis. 

It cannot be disguised that most of those nearest to him 
7 



50 

in affection and counsel, to whom he most confided, re- 
commended the plan, who now, that the organization and 
defence has proved abortive, deny their participation in 
its results and leave the Mayor to stand alone the victim 
of their common error, their weakness or their pusilani- 
mity. I am only anxious to do justice to all,2while I at- 
tribute to the Mayor, the best of motives and reproach 
him with a want of judgment or firmness, to elect the 
proper means of defence, which reproach is applicable 
to thousands in official as well as private life. I am like- 
wise disposed to unrobe those, who in the crisis of 
war were the advocates of peace, and who in the crisis 
of peace were the advocates of war. 

Question by Mr. Pratt, — Are you acquainted by the 
witnesses who have been summoned to testify before 
this community? What were their opportunities of 
forming correct opinions of the proceedings of the mob? 

Answer. — To this interrogatory I would state, that 
the gentlemen summoned to give testimony upon this 
occasion, have, from their connection with the defence of 
the city, peculiar opportunities of knowing its history 
perhaps, and are better qualified from that circumstance, 
than any other in detailing its progress. 

I would beg in a review of that portion of my testi- 
timony, which might be interpreted to bear upon the 
moral integrity of the memorialists, and distinctly to 
disawvovv either directly or indirectly any intention of 
reflecting upon their official connection with the Bank. 

William Devere being sworn, answered: 

Answer to first question. I am a citizen of Baltimore, 
occupation a carpenter, was in Baltimore during the month 
of August last, particularly on the 8ih, 9th and 10th days of 
that month. 

Answer to second question — I saw the mob on the 8th, 
9th and 10th, in my opinion the active mob at no time ex- 
ceeded two hundred. 

Answer to third question — it was gePferally known that 
an attack was designed to be made upon the persons and 
property of the Memorialists and others, the city authori- 
ities must have been aware of the contemplated riots, as it 
was the subject of common conversation for several days 
before they broke out. 

Answer to fourtk question — I am not aware of any attempt 



51 

having been made by the civil aulhorilies to stop or pre- 
vent the mob up to Saturday the 9th of August, in the af- 
ternoon of wiiich day, I was summoned by the captain of 
the troop of horse to which I belonged, as he said, by au- 
thority of the Mayor — I served in the troop under the com- 
mand of Col. Finley, on that night. 

Answer to fifth question — the city authorities by a call 
upon the military and upon the citizens to arm themselves, 
would have been promptly responded to, and would have ef- 
fectually prevented the destruction of property. 

Answer to 6tli question — the mob was effectually check- 
ed by the rallying of the citizens on Monday, under the 
command of General Smith. It was rumored after the mob 
had been suppressed, that they designed to have entered 
the banks, and it is known to your deponent that his pro- 
perty and that of several of his friends was threatened by 
the mob. 

Questions by Mr. Merrick — 

1. Was the watch set on Sunday night? 

2. Had the watch been directed to do any other than 
the ordinary duty on Sunday night? 

3. Had it not been generally said and believed that all 
who participated in the square on Saturday night, would 
be made the objects of vengeance by the mob? 

4 Did you ever see the same individual sign more 
than one name to the counter memorial now before the 
committee? 

To the 1st. he answers — it was not. 

To the 2d. he answers — to the best of his knowledge 
they had not. 

To the 3d. he answers — It was so said and believed,and 
written notices were placed under the doors of the dwel- 
lings of several citizens to that eflect. This, deponent 
recollects distinctly, finding one under his own door. 

To the 4lh. he answers — I have seen one individual 
sign two and three names. This deponent further says, 
he met an individual who asked him to put his name to 
a list he held in his hand. This deponent refusing, and 
another person conning up at this moment, said he would 
sign it, though he had a list himself but that there were 
30 many forgeries upon it he was ashamed to hand it in. 



K 



2 



Joshua J[f. Turner^ being sworn, ans'.vers: 

To the first interrogatory, your deponent answers, that 
he is a citizen of Baltimore, by business a Butcher, and 
was in the city of Baitimoie on the 8th, 9th and lOlh of 
August 1835. 

To the iid interrogatory, he answers and says, that he 
saw the proceedings of the mob in part, especially on Sa- 
turday night at the house of John Glenn, and at the house of 
lieverdy Johnson and John B. Morris. At John Glenn's, 
the number of the rioters acfively engaged, hoys and men, 
was not exceeding thirly. He does not know the number 
of persons encouraging. Me could not dis'.inguish those 
who approved of the demolition from ihose merely attrac- 
ted by curiosity. 

To the third interrogatory, he answers, that it was cer- 
tainly known throughout tlie city, that a combination was 
forming to break the peace, and destroy the property 
of citizens. The placards and anonymous letters of gene- 
ral rumour indicated the civil tumult. 

To the fourth interrogatory, he answers, that he does not 
know till Saturday night, excepting a town meeting, of any 
plan to meet the emergency on the part of the civil au- 
thority. He should mention the intreaties of the Mayor on 
Friday night, dissuading the liators from violence. The 
preparations of Saturday nigl^t have been correctly detailed 
by Col. Thomas, Mr. Norris, Mr. Kettlewell and Col. Fin- 
ley. 

To the 5th interrogatory, he answers, that the civil au- 
thority had the means of preventing or quelling the mob. 
Those means were, one jiundred or fewer, armed men. 
These, wit!) proper warning to the peaceable citizens, 
would have prevented or arrested the mob without a drop 
of bloodshed. They were not exercised. 

To the 6th interrogatory, he says, that it was generally 
believed that the persons and property of other individuals 
were meant for destruction an.] injury — many of the de^ 
nounced removed their furniture and left town. Your de- 
ponent considers the city to liave been surrendered to the 
mob. General Smiih and a'ffw others, determined to res- 
cue the city; at once, the mob was at an end. At any stage, 
the same means would have had the like result. All that 
was wanting, was an energetic and authorized officer to take 
the lead. 



53 

Sheppard C. Lexilcin being; sworn, answers: 

Question 1st. — I am a citizen of Baltimore — President 
of the Canton Compan}', and was in Baltimore during the 
month of August, except tlie night of the 9lh, (Sunday.) 

^nd. — On the night of Friday, the 7lh August, I was at 
Monument Square, saw a large and noisy crowd, many of 
whom evinced a disposition to do violence to (he property 
of Mr. Johnson — they were addressed by Mr. flunt, the 
Mayor, and Gen. VV. Jones of the District of Columbia, 
earnestly reqesting them to abstain from doing an unlawful 
act, the effect, if any, was but momentary; for in a few mi- 
nutes the windows of Mr. J's. house were thrown at and 
broken. The Mayor and Sheriff, assisted by a few citi- 
zens and about thirty watchmen made sev^'-al attempts to 
press back the rioters and disperse them, but failed — per- 
sons who had thrown stones or were discovered in the act 
of throwing, were instantl_v seized, and as soon released t)y 
the mob — the mayor evinced a fearless spirit; on one oc- 
casion was taken and considered a prisoner, and was with 
much risk released by a small nuinber of the friends to 
law and order — (he number of the gathering appeared to 
be from SCO to 1000; those who evinced a disposition to 
assist the civil authori.y did not amount to one hundred 
citizens — the active mob men to about one hundred and 
fifty ; the remaining portion were passive — the square on 
that evening could have been cleared by twenty armed 
men, under an efficient officer. About 11 o'clock the 
rioters dispersed; after which, the mayor, other gentlemen, 
and myself were invited (o Barnums; whilst there, I said 
to Mr. Hunt, I suppose you are now satisfied that it re- 
quires the strong arm of the law to quell mobs, and that 
fire arms must be resorted to; the substance of his answer, 
was, that he was satisfied, and that he would be prepared 
for them. I retired after supper, under the impression 
that the necessary arrangements would be made by him to 
meet the expected riots of the next night. 

3d. — It was generally apprehended by the citizens and 
known to the police, that a combination had or was form- 
ing in the city, whose proclaimed intentions were to vio- 
late the public peace and to destroy the property of citi- 
zens. 

4th. — I know of no measures taken by the public au- 
thorities to disperse or prevent the violence of the mob, 
except the meeting at the Exchange on Fridav, and the 
mayor's having congregated the watchmen at Monument 
Square on the same night. 



54 

5lh The civil authority had the power to make a requi- 
sition on the military — the military could have dispersed 
or have restrained the rioters from destroying the property 
of tlie memorialists and othcis. On Saturday I was invit- 
ed to, and attended at the Council Chamber: I'ound seventy 
or eighty persons there. Jesse Hunt, Esq. the mayor, pre- 
sided — he stated that his object in calling tiie meeting, was 
to get the advice of his fellow citizens as to the proper 
course to be pursued to quell the threatened riots — many 
propositions were made, and after much discussion, it was 
decided that the citizens should congregate at the different 
avenues leading to Mr. Johnson's l)ouse, under the com- 
mand of officers selected by the Ma3'or, with no other wea- 
pen of defence than what has been emphaticall}' styled the 
"Rolling Pin'"' — accordingly in the evening the citizens, to 
the amount of about one hundred, were stationed at their 
respective posts; in addition to which there were about fifty 
horsemen and thirty watchmen — it was early discovered 
that the mob were determined to get possession of the 
Square — the guards were attacked at every point by a show- 
er of stones and other missiles; many were seriously, and 
nearly all wounded — the deliberate courage of the brave 
few kept them at defiance until between 10 and 11 o'clock, 
when it was found impossible to continue the unequal con- 
test without fire-arms — Col. Finley rode up and informed 
the Mayor of their situation, and requested they should be 
furnished with arms; the Mayor answered, "you shall have 
arms, but use them with discretion" — arms and ammunition 
were obtained and distributed to the horsemen and foot- 
guards, when a pretty constant firing commenced, and the 
mob driven from most if not all the important passes — they 
rallied frequently and were as often driven back. The 
Mayor in the early ))art of the evening, had selected four 
aids, myself, Col. Myers, Gen. Miltenberger, and some 
other gentleman whose namp. I do not recollect, consequent- 
ly I was placed in a situation in which I was necessarily 
compelled to have frequent intercourse with him. The 
watchmen were handed over to me as a corps of reserve, 
with instructions to move with them to any weak points 
that could not sustain themselves. I cannot be particular 
about hours, but suppose it was about twelve o'clock when 
James M. Buchanan, Esq. called to know if I would lake 
command of a detachment of the guards, and move to the 
hoiwe of Mr. Glenn, in Charles-street, statmg that the ri- 
oters were there committing depredations — I answered, if 



55 

it met with the Mayor's approbation — accordingly I was In- 
formed where the arms could be obtained, and requested 
the volunteers to follow me. When I ^ot to the arsenal, I 
found to my surprise and mortification that I had but seven 
men. With that number it was perfect rashness to make 
the attempt — returned to the Squart and reported the fail- 
ure. At this time, the Mayor, from constant excitement 
and want of nece-<sary rest, appeared to be completely ex- 
hausted in his physical strength, and to have lost the ener- 
gy and ilecision which had marked his conduct on the pre- 
ceding night. About two o'clock I was again requested to 
march to Glenn's — took a small detachment under the com- 
mand of Ma]or Hall, and a few volunteers, from 35 to 40, 
together with some fifteen or twenty watchmen and police 
officers, and marched with them — when opposite to Glenn's 
house discovered obstructions extending entirely across the 
street placed there by the rioters to prevent cavalry 
charging — took ground lo the right, ordered the watch 
to enter Glenn's and take as prisoners all persons 
found there — moved the infantry a short distance be- 
low, fronting to the west, with a view to protect the watch, 
should the mob evince any disposition to attack them or 
rescue their prisoners — in a few minutes the watch brought 
out a number of prisoners — large crowds were collected in 
different parts of Lexington and Charles-streets, none of 
whom evinced a disposition to attack or be riotous, except 
at the corner of Fayette-street, near the Union Bank, to 
suppress which before it became more formidable, I%rder- 
ed the watch to move in that direction and to arrest all per- 
sons who were by their words or acts encourageing the mob 
— they obeyed, look some few prisoners without resistance 
— after tliis, 5ay three o'clock, 1 took the prisoners to the 
watch-house, which made the total number taken and con- 
fined there about fifty. It having been threatened by the 
rioters that they would release their comrades or destroy 
the watch-house, I retained all the disposable force under 
my command, which at this time amounted to about forty 
muskets and ten horsemen — large crowds of people had col- 
lected in the neighbourhood — many attempts were made to 
lessen the strength of the detachment by getting a portion 
of them drawn off to quell riots that took place near them 
— one or two persons were shot — about four o'clock the 
greater portion of the populace had dispersed — I sent to 
Mr Hunt, then at Barnum's Hotel, to make some disposi- 
tion of the prisoners; he requested that they should be tak- 



56 

en to prison; I informed him that he must send a writtea 
order or come himself; I did not get the order or see Mr. 
Hunt that morning; it being near day-light, and my son 
Wm. G. l^eakin, who was seriously injured in his efforts to 
disperse the mob at Mr. Glenn's, previous to my detach- 
ment's going thpre, anxious to get home, I gave the com- 
mand to il/ajor J/aguire, and retired. One hundred armed 
men, known to be efficient, under the command of a re- 
sponsible officer, could during the night, have driven the 
mob from both Glenn and Jolinson's houses. 

On Sunday morning, I received information of the aban- 
donment of the city to the mob. I despatched two gentle- 
men to asceriain if such a slate of things did really exist — 
in a short time they returned and confirmed the disagreea- 
ble news. About 12 to 1 o'clock I went up Market street; 
met small bodies of men, conversing about the ])roceedings 
of Saturday night; alarm appeared to be depicted in every 
countenance — could not discover who were or who were 
not advocating the mob — met Col. Henry Myers, went 
with him in search of the civil authorities, hoping to find 
some means to prevent the continuation of the riots — could 
not find or hear of them. I returned home, and anxiously 
awaited for some information or some order on which as- 
sistance might be obtained, until near dark; failing to get it, 
I returned to the house of a friend, within a short distance 
of the city, to obtain that rest, which the continued efforts 
for the two proceeding nights and days had rendered neces- 
sary — ♦eturned on Monday morning. 

The proclamation of ihe Mayor on Sunday, denying in 
substance that he had authorised the use of fire arms against 
the mob, virtually put the rioters in possession of the city; 
they then turned their attention towards such citizens as 
had distinguished themselves during the past week in sup- 
port of the civil authority, and they accordingly proceeded 
on Monday to attack the house of Col. Finley, and pro-, 
claimed their intention to inflict the same vengeance upon 
me and others, who had taken part with the civil authority. 
The good feeling of the city became indignant at the inso- 
lence of the mob, and the alarm having in some degree sub- 
sided, the necessity to restore order was felt; it needed only 
a rallying point to effect that object — fortunately this was 
afforded by the gallant veteran Gen. Smith, whojcalied up- 
on the people to join the flag of their country ^and march 
with him to Washington Monument, and array themselves 
in maintenance of law and order — his call was obeyed and 
peace restored. 



57 

Thomas Carroll being sworn answers: 

Answer to Isl Question. — 1 am a citizen of Baltimore— 
at the time of the riots I was engaged in the Lottery and 
Kscharige business. I was in Baltimore during the month 
ot August, and particularly on the Sth, yih and 10th of that 
month. 

Answer to 2d Question. — I saw but little of the move- 
ments ot the disafl'ected up to Saturday the 9th of August. 
1 am not able to give any opinion of the numbers of the 
mub. 

Answer to 3d Question. — It was generally known that a 
combination was fanned to injure the persons and property 
ot the meminaiisfs and others. 

Answer to4(h Question — Phis deponent is not aware of 
any aitempt having been made by tne civil authorities up 
to Saturday morning the 8th August to prevent the forma- 
tion ot tne mob, or to stop its violence. 

Answer t« 5ih Qiesiion. — The authorities civil and mi- 
litary had tiie means by which they might have prevented 
the assembling ot the mob. It is the opinion of your de- 
ponent that the mayor by a proper call upon the military, 
could ill the space of a few hours have called to his aid a 
sulficieiit lore** to have effectually checked fifty times the 
luimber of the evil disposed. — Your deoonent believes that 
it was a want of confidence in the measures devised by the 
mayor and his irresponsible advisers that caused many of the 
good citizens of Baltimore to keep aloof, until the period 
arrived which every independent and thinking man knew 
must arrive, when arms would have to be resorted to, to 
suppress a brutal mob, who had been allowed to gain much 
strengih and head-way; your deponent is furthermore of the 
opinion, that the bare knowledge of one hundred with arms 
and ammunition, at any point of the city, no matter how 
remote from the scene of the contemplated victims, would 
in his opinion have effectually prevented voilence 

Answer to 6th question. — After the mob was quieted it 
was generally understood and reported, that they were de- 
termined to destroy other property, but the energetic mea- 
sures adopted on Monday morning stopped further voilence. 
Your deponent is of opinion from the class of persons that 
composed the mob, they being principally, ruffians and va- 
gabonds, that they would have attacked the banks, and it was 
currently reported the Union Bank of A/aryland was to 
have been entered on Monday night. 

Question by Mv, ilfernck, — Are you extensLveivy ac- 
8 



S8 

qiiaintpd in BsTtimnre-' Look upon the signatures to the me- 
moria! nnw bi.i be-lure yen, — examine tlifn c irefully, and 
Si;ty, whether many of those sis^nalnres be not in one and 
the same hand-writing? V\ hefher there be not signatures 
VJ|)on it which you know to be no' genuine? ^V^^e\her of 
those that be genuine there are not many on separate pieces 
ol paper and which may have been cut from other headings? 
and \\ hf ther gf^iuTfilly, the names aie of citizens of good 
' repute, and havii.g an interest or stake in the City of Halti- 
n^fiie. Ans ver. lam txiensivelv arqiiaif)ttd m Bahin'ore, 
Vf ry many of the signaiurtis are in one and the same h:nid 
writing, there are along hst of female names that witn few ex- 
ceptions are in one and the same hand writing. There are se- 
veral signatures that I do not believe to be genuine; there is 
at least one that had departed this life previojs tu the riots; 
there is in several instances names upon small pieces of pa- 
per that have e\ery ajjpearance of having been cut from 
ditlerent headings 

The memorial contains the names (I have every reason 
to believe genuine) of many of the most respectable citi- 
zems of Baltimore, several of them made every exertion to 
prevent, and suppress the mob; it also, contains the names 
of numbers that have no interest or stake in the city of Bal- 
timore. 

John Tensfield being sworn, answers: 

Answer 1st. I am a citizen of Baltimore; my occupation 
that ot a blacksmith. .1 was in the citv of Baltimore ihir- 
ing the month ot August, and paricularly on the Sth, 9lh 
and 10th days of that month. 

Answer 2d. I was witness to the principle proceedings 
of the mob. It is my im[)ression that on Friday night there 
•were in the Square near My. Johnson's house about 1500 or 
2000 [»ersons, who were lookers on, and about 150 actively 
engaged in riotous conduct. On Saturday night the mob 
had considerably increased, and appeared to be more vio- 
lent and determined, numbering about five thousand active 
and inactive individuals. 

Answer 3d It was generally apprehended and knowQ 
throughout tliH cty, that the excitement then brewing must 
burst out mto open violence, and it is my belief that no one' 
%\as more aware of the fact than the civil authority and po- 
lice of the city. 

Answer 4th No effeotive measures were adopted by th^ 
C'vil aothority of tiie city lo prevent the mob, or to stop its 
Violence. 



5d 

Answer 5tb. 3/pans were in the po'session of the city 
au'ii ""ities ii' jjievent the assenthhiin of the nidb, to dis- 
p(T'5e ii or fP^trMJii it. Thi^se meat.s vver'^ 'hearminji; of ci- 
tiz^'is flfierrniiitHl to preserve peace, but ihey were noi ex- 
erci>ed. 

Ati.swcr to 6'h Intcrrnoratory. It was geneially unHer- 
sto ,H atui bflieveH, tha* n.any olhtT persons who were ^c- 
tivp in pultitjg. down the moh, were to have their propeily 
dr'-iioyed Among others I was oi.e opf-nly threatened It 
was furthermore bel eved «hat the banks of the city would 
h'Vo been (h'stro\et! and plundered. The moh w;isquei' d 
b\ military array, (nrmed un<'er the command ot Gencial 
S.Tinuel Suiith. I ihink tht same means night huve b( i n 
en I'losed .tI anv s'.;\go of the violence to stop the outng -s 
of the deluded muliitude. 

Caleh D. Oioin<i;,sbeinir stoorn answers: To ttie first queg- 
lion, your deponent say*i he i«a citizen of Baltimore; — se- 
condly, engaged in the Granite Stone business; and thirdly, 
thai hi- was in Baltimore in the month oJ Augu'^i 1835, du- 
ring the days mentioned in 3 our pnnled Inteircgations. 

To your second Interrogatory — he says he did seethe 
proceedings of the mob generally, and believes on their 
first congregating in the Public Square, not more than from fif- 
teen to twenty persons were present, who openly gave coun- 
tenance and encouragement, to the destruction oi the pro- 
perty belonging 10 your memorialists. 

To your third Interrogatory he says, it is impossible he 
ahould know the views or apprrhension, '■'s^enera/li/,'^ o( 
the citizens at that time in reference to a combination abi iit 
bemg lormed for the destruction of property, but speaks 
wiih cert(ti)ify. that the rhiet magistrate of the city, v\ as 
toid by your deponent, that it was in contemplation a com- 
bination would be formed for thai purpose. 

4ih Interg. —Answering he says, that on Thursday niiiht 
the sixth of August 1835, he was in con'pany with the ii:eii 
mayor of the city of Baltimore, offering his services to aid 
hitn in keeping the peace, and was tf)ld bv him that lie had 
his Police Oflicers ready, and could have them on the 
ground in five minutes, in case it should be necessary, but 
be did not wish to bring them then unless it was indis|.eii- 
sable. The Peace on that night was preserved, by the ex- 
ertions of the mayor, and a few of his fellow citizens. — Ou 
the night following, the mob assembled in front of Rever- 
dy Johnson's house with ai angmemeii force, mul much em- 
boldened, evidencing a full delerminaiion to destroy the pro 



60 

perty of Mr. Johnson, — the mayor wae also in attendahrej 
he attempted, in comiiiOn wiih Gen. Jones and Mr. Pres- 
ton, to harangue the people, but could not be heard; he then 
left the steps from which he attempted to address them; 
past through the crowd, exiiorting them to disperse, which 
was without etfecl; he them called to his aid his Police Of- 
ficers, (who certainly must have been in wailing near by.) 
and formed a line in front of Mr. Johnson's dwelling, be- 
tween it and the mob; at the same time requesting the citi- 
zens generally to aid him in the preservation of the peace; 
many of whom immediately fell into the line; some lew 
glasses in the windows were broken, but the mob again dis- 
persed without having accomplished any material injury to 
the building. 

5ih Interg. — He says the authorities of the city of Balti- 
more had the means to have preserved the peace, and pre- 
vented the destruction of property,- — your deponent be- 
lieves, even on the Saturday night, or Sunday niOniing, re- 
ferred to in your printed questions, that Jrom fifty to one 
hundred men, properly armed, and duly authorised, could 
have driven every riotous disposition from the streets, anci l>e 
feels confident, he could in the circle of his own acquain- 
tance, have forced that number, ready, and willing, to 
have ventured on the hazard; that the means were within 
the reach of the constituted authorities cant be doubted; 
when it is known, that on yVonday evening Jas. W. J/c- 
Colloh, Esq. accompanied by Jas. A/oreton, Tbos. F nley 
Esqs. and yoiT deponent, went to the Court House, and de- 
manded of the keeper of that building the arms belonging 
to Baltimore county — he was refused them by the keeper, 
who alledged he could not give them up, and would write 
tothe mayor — i^/cCulloh immediately replied, "the time, sir, 
for correspondence has passed by, the time for action has 
arrived;" — he still shewing a disposition to refuse, A/cCul- 
loh continued, ^'' I demand them as one of the Counsel oj the 
County Commissioners, and by God I will have them;** 
after which the door of the cellar in which they were plac- 
ed, was soon opened, and several large companies, under 
the command of A/ajor Spedden, were immediately armed; 
independent of which your deponent saw A/cCulloh pay 
the expenses on one, if not two Carts or Dray loads of ^/us- 
kets, which were carried to the mayors office, (which carts 
or drays he impressed) where they were served out to such 
citiaens, as was not suspected as favouring the views of 



61 

the rioters, and refusecl to many whd were susplcionerl as 
favouring the mob. 

To your 6th, and last printed Inter. — Your deponent' 
Savs, he knows it was tlie intention of the mob, to have de- 
stroyed other property than that of vour memorialists, and 
would refer you for evidence of the fact to the destruction 
of Capt. VVilley, Capt, Beniziii>i;er, and /l/ajor Fin ley's pro- 
perty; and that it was u;enerally understood, and so believ- 
ed, your deponent thinks, cant be doubted when he declares 
that a person known by the name of Palmer inf •rme'l him at 
the City Hall, that he had attended a meeting of the Rioters 
(in disguise) when it was then discussed, whether they 
should not fire the upper and lower end of the city at the 
sa.iie time, and tnat he also informed him. that the Presi- 
dent of the Union Bank of ilfaryland, which was the De- 
pository of the Public Funds, had made a requisition on the 
U. '^. Government for a detachment ot Reg.iiar I'roups, 
which was granted to hnn for the protection of that insti- 
tution. 

Your nex' question in the interrogation is — By what 
means was it quelled? 

I'o which your deponent replies, a report was circulated 
that the mob intended firing the city generally, and that 
.V?'e?Y///?cr."?f);/.s standing high in public estimation, as per- 
i»uns of wealth, and education, were behi.id the curtai s, 
fiecrefly forining theplarif^-, and by their incendiary ha- 
Tiimrues cuid money, ur,>^ingo7i the youthful, ignorunty 
and inconsiderate^ to icifi o( violence; wliich alarmed the 
citizens generally, and made them see, for the safety of thtir 
own property, the necessity at once of exerting their influ- 
ence, in a proper channel, added to which, another report 
vno'^e alarming and melting than those before recited, fol- 
lowed directly in the train, which was, that persons in Jail, 
and the inmates of the Penetentiary, were to be turned 
loose on society, and that their wives and daughters, ia 
common with those who had rendered themselves obnoxi- 
ous to the mob, in consequence of their having taken sides 
with the civil authorities, were to be given up to vio- 
lence. 

• To the last question your deponent says, means equally 
effectual, and not half no expensivCy might have been re- 
sorted to, which would have protected the peace of the ci- 
ty, and the property ot your memorialists. 

Question by Mr. J/errick: Have yon had any conversation 



ea 

wUh 3/r. Hunt since the ooourrenoo of the rlofs in Ancnsfr 
la.*"'? What Wi ro thise CDVcr^ations? 

To ihe last question — If I have hf^Id any conversation 
with Mr. Iltif.t >"ince the suppression of the rioters, and were 
he was on Sunday and l/onday nights, I an; wer, that 1 held 
several oonversaii ms with him, and learned on Sunday i \^'\t 
he iO'!;z;e(t with his friend J. imes Blnir, Esq., in FranUiia 
near Prince street, and on yV/otiday nignt a* J/r. Uavid^ ar- 
li'^ie's, about ten miles from Bahimore City, near the F.tlls 
Turnpike road 

Your <leponent further states, after peace was restored, 
Mr. Hunt informed him, he regretted that he had not 
followed the advice given him by Dr, N. T. E. Hond and 
Jas. W. McCulloh, for if he had have done so, the disasters 
whicli had taken place would not have happened. 

Sanutel Hunt being sworn, answers: 

Question 1. — I am a citizen of Ijaliimore; my occupa- 
tion is that of Master Jailor. I was in Baltimore in \\\<- 
gust, 1S35, and on the eighth, ninth and tenth of that 
month. 

2d. — I did see the proceedings of the moh from the fifth 
np to the tentn of Ati2;ust, having been surnUioned by Hie 
mayor on the eighth to assist the police in keeping the pub- 
lic peace; it became my duty, in the course of 'hat night to 
pass through the crowd, or mob, several lime.s. There weie 
several thousand persons tn the street, but how many took 
an active part 1 cannot say, as they could not all be brought 
into action at the same time. Tiie mob was repeateilly 
beaten back, and as often returned to the charge, until the 
police was armed with muskets and hail cartridge; and or- 
dered to, and did fire on the mob. On the ninth 1 was at 
]Vlr. Glenn's house in Charles street and saw the mo!) des- 
troying it witnout any interruption from the civil authori- 
ty. Mr. Johnson's next, and then Mr. Morris's. At the last 
gentleman's house I remained during Sunday night until 
daylight on Monday morning; between three and fouro'ch ck 
on the above morning I went to the centre vvatoh-house lo 
procure assistance to arrest those who remained at J/r. A/)r- 
ris's. Apprehending they wnuld fire the house, as most of 
them weredrunk.bittto my surprisethe watchliouse wasbrok- 
en up, and not a watchman to be seen, myself and two or 
three young gentlemen procure! a fire apparatus, and after 
having some difficulty with those of ihe mob that remained, 
put (Hit the fire at Mv. i)/orris's house and thou ieit the 
scene'. 



6S 

3'1. — It was known by many, as early as Ihe fiflh of Au- 
gM'^'. )h:it Ml. J )lii»son's ^.ouse was to be attacked that night; 
ti •■ civil aiithority and police were aware of it for they felt 
th ■ force of that combination increasing up to the eigiiln uf 
the month. 

4th. — To answer this question, I take the liberty of re- 
ferring to the answer given to the same by Col. Thomas 
on the twenty-fifth, in winch 1 fully C( ncur. 

Sill. — The civil authority having the power to call out 
the military, ceriainly had tne means of preventing the 
p'0])erty ol your memorialists, and others, from being de- 
s'nyed, had they heen resorted to in a proper manner. 

Question 6th. — It was agreed upon and determined by 
th" mob on l/onday mormng, before they dispersed, to 
ro lew their work of destruction on ttie same night, and 
t:i v did co'iimence the destruction of the property of Ma- 
jor E. L. Finley on the afternoon of that day, but were pre- 
vented from cc mpletine their work by a threatened attack 
fro n ariTied citizens, who were then assembling, and many 
more would have shared the same fate had not arms been 
resorted to in time to save them. I cannot say whether 
the military could have been collected on Sunday night or 
not, on account of their havinu; been betrayed, as they sup- 
posed, by the civil authority, on the morning ot that day, 

James L. Mas^nire being sworn, answers: 

1st. I am a citizen of Baltimore; I am one of the Jus- 
tices of the Peace for the city of Baltimore: I was in the 
«i'V of B;dtimore during the month of August 1835, and 
particularly on the 8th, 9th, and part ol tne lOth of that 
month. 

2d. 1 saw the proceedings of the mob on Friday night; 
J supposed it to consist of about one hundred active per- 
s )ns, anfl about one thousand rerson^ who ap[)eared to take 
very little interest in the matter; { remained with the Tl/ay- 
or until the moh had dispersed; 1 then had a conversatioa 
w'th him respecting the mob; I told him it would be impos- 
sible to put it down without arms; he agieed with me, and 
Slid I will see you or some other magistrate in he morning 
and make a call for the militia; the next morning I was 
called on and requested to meet at the A/a.or's office, which 
I did when the proooediniis wliich you have heard fronn 
oihcr witnesses took place; I was appointed by the Tl/ayur 
to Like charge of Court House Lane, at which place I re- 
mained until four o'cj K^k the next uorning; I tSereforecaa 
form no opinion of the exieat oi the moo uu that oijjiit* 



64 

8d. It was genonlly known for a w<»ek before the 8th of 
August, that violent and inflainmalory communications were- 
sen) to different tavern keepers and other persons, calling on 
them to rise like men and punish with a coat of tar and 
feathers, R Johnson, John Glenn, and other gentlemen who 
had been directors in the Bank of Tl/aryland; and it was ge- 
nerally understood and believed that several of these letters 
were delivered to the Mayor. 

4th. No measures were taken previous to Friday night 
the "th of August, by the civil authorities to prevent the 
formation of the mob; on Friday night the 3/ayor assem- 
bled his watchmen in front of R. Johnson, Esq's house, 
and ineffectually, and with much risk to his person, endea- 
voured to disperse them. 

5in. 1 believe the civil authorities had the means by 
whicn the mob might have been prevented from assembling; 
or from destroying the property of the memorialists and 
ethers; that the means were by calling out the military or 
armed citizens; the'e means were not exercised until a late 
hour on Saturday night, when they proved effVctual in re- 
straining and disper>*ing the mob, and that had these means 
been resorted to early on Saturday afternoon, one hundred 
armed men would have prevented the mob from destroying 
the property of the memorialists and others. 

6th. Before the mob was finally quelled, they had at- 
tacked and partially destroyed the houses and property of 
Capt. Bentzinger. ("apt. Willey and Col. Finley, and had 
denounced similar destruction to the property of all those 
who had been actively engaged in resisting <hem on Satur- 
day night* on J/onday night the 1 0th August, armed citi- 
zens turned out under the command of (Jentral Samuel 
Smith; by these means I believe the mob was quelled, and 
I am convinced that the same means or others of equal ef- 
fect might have been called into exercise at any stage oi thQ 
Violence. 

Dr. William Ji Baker being sworn, answers: 
Answer 1st. — 1 am a citizen ot Baltimore, and by pro-^ 
fession a physician. I was in Baltimore in August, 1835, 
during the disgraceful riots, whose outrages and injuries 
you are now about to redress. 

Aiiswer 2d. — I witnessed the proceedings of the mob 

on Wednesday and on Friday and Saturday evenings On 

Wednesday evening they were tew in number and chiefly 

j^oys, who having thrown a few stones dispersed. 

On Friday evening the active disturbers of tJie peace did 



65 

not perhaps exceed 100 in number, who, without concert, 
and apparently without specific design, occupied themselves 
by shouting and casting stones, and now opposed and now 
assisted, the mayor as he with one or two hundred citizens, 
with locked hands, marched hither and thither through the 
square. 

On Saturday the ranks of the ill-disposed were swelled 
by the presence of numerous spectators, some impelled by 
curiosity and some by malicious feelings. Their active 
force could scarcely have exceeded 200 men, as 150 citi- 
zens stretched out before the avenues to tlie square and 
armed with rolling-pins were competent to restrain them. 
I am unable to estimate the number of those who counten- 
anced the proceedings of the mob. 

Answer 3. — It was generally known that a mob was con- 
templated. The hand-bills posted in dififerent parts of thf» 
city, the assemblages on the nights of Wednesday and 
Thursday forewarned it. The town meeting on Friday 
shows that the city authorities anticipated it. And the re- 
solutions of Messrs. Read and Thomas passed at that town 
meeting by acclamation, would have awakened apprehen- 
sion lor the public peace, in seasons of quiet and tranquili- 
ty — oflered and passed as they were in a period of dang^i-, 
they sounded as the blast of the trumpet, preceding the , 
strife, as the knell of the toscin on the eve of revolution. 

Answer 4th. — No measures were adopted to prevent the 
formation of a mob by the civil authorities. After it had 
assembled, the mayor of the city endeavoured to disperse 
it by vindicating before it, his conJuct as a director of the 
IJank. He was supported in his pacific intentions, by 
others, who assured the mob it would be time enough to 
assume the dispensation of justice when the Chancellor had 
decided against them. And the final attempt to subdue it 
on Saturday night was indeed ridiculous. About 150 men 
with small round sticks in their hands were expected to 
defend the city. This force was scattered and diffuse, and 
only a small portion of it horsemen. 

The lolly of the attempt was fully manifest before 10 
o'clock; and a request, in which I united, for permission to 
dismount and arm with muskets was refused. At length 
pistols were ordered for the horse, which was equivalent to 
permission to use what weapons we had; and we rode off 
to Mr. Glenn's, being informed that an attack had been 
made upon his premises. Here my career was terminated 
9 



G6 

by being dismounted from my horse by a blow from a 
stone. 

Answer 5tb. — The city aulhorities had the means by 
which the mob might have been prevented, or by which, 
after it had assembled it might have been dispersed. 

3/oral energy and courage on the part of our mayor, 
equal to the crisis, would have put it down as easily as 
Swift of Philadelphia ])ut down the mob of A/oyamensing. 
Without such a head, however, the force which was out 
on Saturday night, with pro])er arms could have maintain- 
ed the public peace. 

Jihxander Cheves being sworn, Answers — 

1st. I am a citizen of Baltimore, of the profession of 
the law, and was in Baltimore during that part of August, 
1835, which preceded and comprised the eighth, ninth and 
tenth days of that month. 

2nd. I observed the proceedings of the mob until nine 
or quarter past nine o'clock, on the night of Saturday, the 
8th inst. subsequently to that time, I can impart no infor- 
mation on the subject, except that derived from report, or 
conveyed in the continued alarms, falling of walls and ex- 
cited cries and shouts of the mob, which reached my ear 
during the day aiid night succeeding, although I was then 
removed a consideralbe distance from the scenes of distur- 
bance. On the occasion of the first riotous assemblage, 
the numbers of the mob were inconsideiable, they contin- 
ued so until Friday the 7th instant, at which time they ap- 
peared in very formidable array, and for the first time clear- 
ly indicated their determination to destroy the property of 
the memorialists, and treat the city aulhorities with con- 
tempt and defiance. Their conduct on this occasion satisfi- 
ed every observer that the impending disturbance was inev- 
itable, and that the city police were utterly inefficient to 
controul or arrest its progress; two thousand persons, or 
thereabout, assembled opposite Reverdy Johnson's house, 
of these I deemed two thirds to be abettors of the riot. 
On Saturday night at nine o'clock, a thousand or fifteen 
hundred persons were assembled at the corner of Market 
and Calvert streets, at which place a corden of citizen con- 
stables, had been posted by the Mayor; the principal por- 
tion of these were rioters — how many actively engaged, I 
know not; but nearly all desirous of accomplishing ob- 
jects of destruction, by measures more or less violent, 



67 

as circumstances should dictate. What other assembla- 
ges took place elsewhere, or at other times, that in'glit, 
I know not, as I Iiad been stationed at the above place 
from the hour of half past five, preceding, and remained 
there, until the pjriod which closed my observation of 
the mob* 

3d. Previously to the destruction of the property 
of the memorialists, the citizens generally appre- 
hended the existence of a co'iibination formed or for- 
ming for that purpose, and very many, among whom 
all the city authorities are to be included, were assured 
of its existence and of its objects. It was generally un- 
derstood that incendiary handbills, and tkreatning letters 
had been distributed throughout the city, or addressed 
to citizens, particularly those to whom was entrusted the 
maintainance of the laws, or who advocated the cause 
of the trustees of the Bank of Maryland, or who oppo- 
sed opinions adverse to Reverdy Johnson and others, 
entertained by the principals and abetters of the 
mob — denouncing every act or word of interference 
with their own disorderly and senseless projects, and 
threatning summary vengeance against all who should 
disregard their injunctions. The determination of 
a certain class in the community, to assume the vindi- 
catory as well as the judicial powers of the law, was 
also intimated by numerous reports which circulated 
in the community for some days previous to the execu- 
tion of their unlawful designs. 

To the fourth interrogatory, lam not aware that any 
measures were adopted by the public authorities, in an- 
ticipation of a mob. 

On the night of Friday the 7th instant, while the ri- 
oters were assembling, the Mayor repaired to Monument 
Square, which was the place of meeting, and th( re dis- 
tributed the city police, whose peaceable efforts to main- 
tain order or disperse the crowd, were utterly unavail- 
ing, and who wer3 utterly incapable of forceably dis- 
persing them; — the Mayor addressed the assembly in the 
most conciliatory terms, conjuring them, in the name of 
their city to refrain from outraging its laws. His inter- 
ference was met with hooting, and shouts and cries of 
contempt, insult and derision; and even while he was 
speaking, an assault was made on the property of Rev- 
erdy Johnson, before his eyes — other gentlemen like- 
wise addressed the crowd, and although tieated with 



68 

more respccl, their efforts to appease it, were equally 
fruitless. The Mayor then descended from the elevation 
from which the crowd had been addressed, and calling; 
round him the orderly portion of the assemblage, made 
his way in different directions through the mass of oppo- 
sing forms, which seemed !;'deterniined, doggedly to re- 
sist every effort to remove them from the spot; the ef- 
forts used, were expostulation, entreaty and gentle en- 
deavours to press them back, which were returned with 
interest, until the person of the Mayor appeared to be 
in considerable danger, the pressure against him being 
several times so great, that I thought he would have been 
crushed against the Monument, in which direction he was 
impelled. Notwithstanding the utter contempt of author- 
ity displayed in the above and other instances, there was 
no such exertion, or assertion of authority, as was calcu- 
lated to produce either a physical or moral effect of a 
favorable nature, but on the contrary, every thing done 
under the pretext of producing order, was calculated to 
effect the most unfavorable consequences, and in my opi- 
nion, had considerable effect in causing the subsequent 
outrages. The meeting having on this occasion, felt the 
pulse of the civil authorities and tested their strength and 
temper, dispersed about 1 1 o'clock; their object on this 
and the previous evenings, having been chiefly to excite 
the disorderly, ascertain the disposition and strength of 
authorities as above stated, deferring the completion of 
their designs, until the night of Saturday, the 8th instant 
on which occasion it was anticipated, even while the mob 
was assembled on Friday, that its great and final effort 
was to be made on that day — the attention of the whole 
city was preoccupied with considerations respecting the 
approaching eve; divers citizens called on the Mayor at an 
early hour, offering counsel and assistance — the fact was 
communicated to him that many citizens were anxious to 
arm in the suporession of the excited assemblages, whose 
meeting in the evening in most formidable numbers, and 
designs subversive of the rights of property and persons 
of citizens, was ascertained beyond a doubt: the Mayor 
requested such to attend at the City Hall, at 11 o'clock; 
at that hour a number of persons had assembled, but the 
call on the part of the Mayor was delayed till 12 o'clock, 
or thereabouts, when a consultation commenced, in the 
opening of which, Wm. George Read, Esq. proposed 



69 

that the Mayor should procure one thousand clisbs there- 
with to arm as many citizens, who, under his (tlie Mayor's) 
direction, were to be distributed in the different avenues 
leading: to the houses which were to be aUacked. This 
proposition was at once opposed, and among other oppo- 
sition vigorous speeches were mads by John Scott, Esq. 
member of the City Council, and Dr. Bond, urging; the 
comparative necessity of moie efficient means, and advis- 
ing a call on the volunteer companies and a distribution 
of arms among the citizens. The sense of the assembly 
seemed for the time to be determined by the example of 
these gentlemen, until a doubt was raised respecting the 
possibility of as.sembiing the companies — the Mayor pro- 
posed the enquiry to several of the officers present, Cap- 
tains Benzinger,Willey and myself; Captain B. expressed 
doubts on the subject, and was inclined to the opinion 
that he could not call out his men in uniform; Capt. Wil- 
ley and myself stated to the Mayor that the call made on 
our respective companies would be promptly answered; 
there were several other gentlemen in command of com- 
panies, present, but on the offer on the part of Captain 
V/illey and myself, a stop was pu! to the enquiry, and 
the discussion, as to the proper measures of meeting the 
mob resumed. My belief is, that the enquiry was dis- 
continued thus abruptly, and the discussion resumed for 
the purpose of shifting the position of the question, which 
then seemed dependant upon the feasibility of procuring 
an armed body of volunteers, and that the Mayor was not 
then, or at any other time, desirous of availing himself 
of any such means, and was disappointed on the intima- 
tion that they were at his command. 

After remarks, by several gentlemen, favoring Mr. 
Reed's proposition, the propriety of an armed and 
mounted guard to be kept in readiness, but out of view, 
till circumstances should call fr.r it, was suggested by 
James M. Buchanan, but the proposition was discoura- 
ged and rejected, from the expressed policy of conceal- 
ing from the poi)ulace, any thin;; like a military prepar- 
ation or civil armed force, it beciime evident about two 
o'clock, that if Mr. Reed's proposition was not carried 
into effect, no preparation of any kind would be made, 
and it was consequently accepted, and those present to 
the number of fifty or sixty generally deputised to sum- 
mons all orderly citizens, in their respective wards to 



70 

assemble at 5 P. i\I. without arms, and receive from tho 
hands of the Mayor one of the above mentioned imple- 
ments. At five the suaimoners and summoned, began to 
assemble, but not in such numbers as exhibited very de- 
cided approval of the measures adopteJ. The scene 
whichljthei] took place, was as ridiculous as humiliating. 
The Mayor was engaged in appointing ditferent bodies 
of citizens which existed only in his calculations; the 
citizens generally declining the proposed equipment, 
while gentlemen of high oiiicial stations, were engaged 
tearing what were called scarfs or badges from a bale of 
cotton Iving on the tabl^^, for the purpose of distinguish- 
ing the deputies of the law, from those who might as- 
sume simple armor, or be otherwise confounded with 
them. The numbers of those thus equipped at the 
Mayor's office, while I was there, which was until orders 
to march were issued, might have amounted to seventy 
or eighty, forty or fifty on horseback, and thirty on foot, 
this number was to be divided into five or six masses to 
defend the different avenues as above said, and evident 
as the mistake on the part of the Mayor and his advisers 
was at that time, they were permitted to depart without 
other equipment than that stated — sixteen men were sent 
to the comer of Calvert and Market streets, the balance 
of the infantry amounting to about the same number, being 
sent in different divisions to the otfier quarters requiring 
the imposing moral defence as it seemed to be denomina- 
ted, continued around Mr. Llead, the Mayor and others. 
It is needless almost to say, that this armament could in- 
spire no other feelings than wonder and dismay, unless it 
might be derision and contempt, although satisfied with 
the purpose had in view, I could hardly disguise the 
mortification I felt on marching through the stieets with 
the absurd implements put into our hands, and although 
not generally communicated, I believe, I express the 
sentiment commonly entertained; from the moment the 
civil force was stationed, a crowd began to assemble, and 
the Mayor had he approached the Corner of Calvert and 
Market streets, where the mob desirous of penetrating 
into the Square assembled, might have received a lesson 
from the respect shown to the instruments of his mea- 
sures; the mob at first presented the same dogged deter- 
mination to disobey authority exhibited on the night be- 
fore, keeping close to the line of citizefis aad refubing 



71 

to fall back, 'till met by the horse under Colonel Finlejr, 
when they retired to the otlier side of the street, and in 
a few minutes afier, made th-ir first attack throwing 
stones in vollies on (he inounied and foot men; the num- 
ber of men assembled at the different stations, at nine, 
P. M. mi<iht have been from 150 to 200 at Calvert and 
Market streets, I do not think there were at any time more 
than 30 to 35 on foot and nine or ten horse, and these 
assailed from a crowd of 1000 or 1500. The crowd at 
no time while I was present, penetrated the turn at Cal- 
vert street, and I have the best assurance that they did 
not do so that night. Their assaults with stones were 
very fierce, wounding and disabling nearly every man, 
if not all who were stationed at the place. The city 
was to the best of my knowledge protected during that 
night with (he exception of some injuries to Glenn's 
house, arms as I have heard being distributed to the 
Guard as completely as the unprepared state of the city 
admitted of in the hurry and consternation of the mo- 
ment. I believe the preparations of the city authorities 
had not extended to procurement of weapons at any 
time before ten or thereabout, Sa(urday Bight;and as they 
armed a good number of the guards with weapons whicn 
had been in my keeping, I know there were inany of 
them old company nmskets which had been delivered to 
volunteer companies many years since, rusty, out of 
repair and entirely useless, except with the bayonet, 
many of which likewise were to the best of my recol- 
lection wanting. 

To 5th interrogatory. The authorities had means by 
which the peace of the city might have been maintained 
and the property of the memorialists preserved; previous 
to Saturday, there is no doubt but that the readiest at- 
tendance would have been given in case of a call issued 
from competent authority to the military or citizens; and 
any show of determined authority, would in my 
opinion have prevented the reassemblage of the mob. 

On Saturday, the disordei'ly spirit on the one side, and 
the panic on the other, both increased by the inellicacy of 
the measures used; the conduct of the authorities had cau- 
sed the force and fearfulness of the mob to be much exag. 
crated on Saturday night; every moment which passed after 
the setting of the guard (mentioned to 4th interrogatory) 
inefficient as it was, shewed the groundlessness of fears be* 



fore entertained; and from what I saw and heard, it would 
be difficult to (ind a more striking example of the pus llani- 
mity and disorganization of mobs than this instance affords. 
No^ a single instance can be cJted I believe in which the 
half armed bodies of six or twelve were faced by the mob 
who were completely dispersed that night, forty or more I 
believe being sent to Jail. My opinion is that had the 
persons engaged in tiie defence of the city been kept toge- 
ther by the authorities instead of being deserted and con- 
demned publicly, that they could have prevented the des- 
truction of the property uf the memorialists; that had the 
authorifies endeavored on Sunday the 9th insatnt to have 
assembled orderly citizens with arms, it could have added 
a thousand to the few who from ill management had been 
left alone to contend without commander against the mob 
the evening before. In Fine I believe notwitiistanding the 
disaffection of a large number of her population, that the 
city possessed nearly if not quite all the means for the sup- 
pression of disorder which other communities enjoy; but 
these, as I conceive were by no means exerted or attemp- 
ted to be exerted, but that on the contrary, the mob 
was treated by the authorities diiferentially. The 
above opinion is matter of speculation as regards the over- 
whelming panic existing on Sunday, and which many consi- 
der the measure of the mob; but it was not the terror inspi- 
red by the wretches composing it who had been beaten to 
their shelters the night before, but the panic of a commu- 
nity deserted by its constitutional directors, whose last act 
was the measure of disorganization above mentioned. My 
answer to this interrogation is in a measure speculative, and 
founded on facts which although I had but partial observa- 
tion, I believe to be undisputed. 

6th Inter. It was generally understood that many other 
persons were obnoxious to the mob, and that they designed 
to destroy the property and attack the persons of all such. 
I believe that the life of no man known to have opposed the 
mob on Saturday night would have been spared; and that 
not only their property, but that of any one who had har- 
boured or received them was threatened and in danger. 

Question by Mr. Pratt — Are you acquainted with the 
witnesses who have been summoned to testify before this 
commtlee? What were their opportunities of forming 
correct opinions of the proceedings of the mob? 

The persons capable of informing the committee re- 
specting the various acts of riot an(i destruction inquired 



73 

into, are in my opinion few irt dumber, that is to say few 
of the orderly were actors or spectators in the prepara- 
tion, for the defencs of the city or in the defence made 
by the authorities or citizens — of those I deem most 
capable, I should class nearly all who have been exam- 
ined by the committee, and should suppose them as fully 
acquainted with the important acts of the riot as any other 
persons in Baltimore, My own knowledge is limited 
I- have said before, as ray observation after an early houf 
Saturday night, was closed by a wonnd which rendered 
me uneonscious of any thing until the next morning. 

Elias Brown being sworn, answers. 

1th. — I am not a citizen of Baltimore, I reside in Balti- 
more county, a farmer by occupation. 

2d. — I answer, tliat I did see a part of the prbceedings 
of the mob — that I left my place of residence on Satur- 
day during the riots to go to the city of Wasington by 
way of the Rail Road, and on reaching the relay house be- 
tween EUicotts Mills and the city of Baltimore, met with 
my friend Col. Beale Randall, who gave me the first inti- 
mation that a mob was likely to take place. We arrived 
in Baltimore between the hours of four and five o'clock 
P. M. and being informed that a meeting was called at the 
Mayors office at five o'clock to devise means to sustain the 
ci vil authority, and preserve the peace of the city, we hasten- 
ed thither On reaching the Mayors office, wc found th6 
meeting had adjourned, and that they had agreed upon sticks 
or batons as the weapons of defence. I went to Col. Ran- 
dall's and took tea, and immediately thereafter repaired to 
the supposed scene of attack, and foundi(altho^ it was scarce- 
ly dark) a great number of people had alreatjj^ assembled, 
1 volunteered under Columbus O'Donnell Esq. who comj 
manded on Bank lane; and after remaining with him for 
sometime, we heard that the mob had attaMced.^he house 
of Mr. John Glenn in Charles Street. By the permission 
of Mr. O'Donnell, Col. Randall and myself went to Charles 
atreet to see what was going on, and found that some twen- 
ty men and boys were in front of Mr. Glenn's house, and 
on the opposite side of the street, and were engaged in throw- 
ing stones or bricks at and against his door, (it was then a- 
bout ten o'clock P. M). I returned to Bank-lane and re- 
ported to Mr. O'Donnell, what 1 had seen, and remarked 
to him, that I thought tw^ty armed men could drive them 
away. He desired me to *go to the Mayor and tell him my 

10 



74 

opinion, I did so and I think added, if he would furnish me 
with twenty men well armed I would drive them away; he 
answered me by sayinp; he had no armed men and appear- 
ed to be very much alarmed at the situation of affairs. 

It is necessary for me to ^state that 1 had a conversation 
with Genl. Leakia who was near the person of the Mayor, 
and who assured me that no forces could be spared from the 
Square, and that it was doubtful whether they could main- 
tain their pcsil:on with all the forces they had. About the 
same time I was invited by Col. Finley to join his mounted 
corps,but having no horse, was compelled to decline the in- 
vitation, shortly after, (it being then a little after eleven o'- 
clock) I left the ground. 

I had no opportunity of forming an opinion in regard to 
the number engaged in the riots. 
3d. — I have no answer to give. 

4th. — I know of no other than those set forth in the an- 
swer to my second interrogatory. 

5th. — I believe that at any time during Saturday night 
one hundred well armed men supplied tvith ball cartridges 
could have dispersed the mob. 

6th. — I left Baltimore on Sunday about three o'clock for 
Washington, and of course can speak only from common 
report which I think unnecessary. 

James M. Buchanan being sworn, answers: 

To the first — I answer I am a citizen of Baltimore, an 
Attorney at. Law, and was m the city of Baltimore during 
the month of August 1835, with the exception of part of 
Monday the 10th, and part of Tuesday the 11th of that 
month. 

To the second, I-answer I did see the proceedings of the 
mob on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and on a 
part of Sunday morning. My impression is that on Thurs- 
day night the whole number of persons collected in the 
neighboTffl"iood of Mr. Johnson's house did not exceed at 
most five hundred. On Friday night the number had in- 
creased as I suppose to about two thousand, and on Satur- 
day night to somewhere about five thousand. 

I attended the meeting at the Exchange on the Friday 
preceding the mob, and without going into a detail of the 
occurrences which there took place, all of which is render- 
ed unnecessary by the very clear and correct statement of 
Capt. Willey which has been submitted to me and in whicv^ 



75 

I concur, I came to the conclusion that we were on the eve 
of a most disgraceful riot, and that nothing could prevent 
it but hold and decided measures on the part of the civil 
authorities. 

On Saturday Captain Willcy called at my oflice for the 
purpose of conferring with me as to the best means to be 
adopted in tlie then alarming condiuon of affairs. We 
were botli of oninion that there sliould he l)y all means a 
resort to armed force, and for the purpose of making this 
opinion known, we resolved at oiice to call upon the May- 
or. Tiiis we immediately did, and found him as well as I 
remember, alone with General Anthony il/iltenberger, 
the then president of the first branch of the city council. 
I commenced the conversation with the iT/ayor, Captain 
Willcy and (ien. il/iitenberger sitthig by — told him the 
town was in a state of high and alarming excitement, and 
advised a resort to arms. The TJ/ayor listened to me with 
becoming attention, but did not concur in my views. Cap- 
tain Willey then addressed him, sustained what I had said, ' 
and offered additional, ami as I thought conclusive reasons 
why the course proposed should be adopted. At this pe- 
riod of the conversation Gen. il/iltenberger interfered, and 
as it appeared to me in a manner altogether unsuited to the 
occasion, protested against what we had said and advised 
other measures. The conversation was then for some time 
carried on by Capt. Willey and Gen. 3/iltenberger, the 
Mayor and myself being listeners From this conversa- 
tion both Capt. Willey and myself were satisfied that the 
Mayor had been badly advised, and we left him under that 
impression. 1 was invited with Capt. Willey, to attend a 
meeting which was that day (Saturday) to be held in the 
Co'incil Chamber, ibr the purpose as we were informed, of 
advising with the Mayor. We attended; the meeting was 
numerous and highly respectable; the Mayor addressed the 
meeting, and various {.repositions were submitted by other 
gentlemen; some were for resorting to t!ie use of arms, but 
a large majority of the meeting appeared to be opposed to 
it; the proposition was finally unfortunately abandoned. 

On the night of Saturday I formed one of tiic troop of 
horse commanded by Col. Finley. We were ordered in 
consequence of a resolution passed in the meeting of the 
morning, to muster unarmed. In this particular I must 
admit I behaved unlike a soldier; I disobeyed my orders 
and put a pair of pistols into my pcclcet. We were very 
oen carried into action — brickbats abounded — paving 



76 

stones fell like hail about us — our horses were wounded — 
ourselves were wounded, and we were entirely without the 
means of defence. The action commenced at the corner 
of Market and Cal vert-streets; and here I mention a fact 
in justification of Col. Finle3^ I received a very severe 
blow trom a stone or some other missile — the man who 
threw it stood before me — I drew a pistol and was in the 
act of firing. At this moment I heard the voice of Col. 
Fiflley — I turned to him, informed him of the circumstance 
and asked permission to fire — he positively refused; order- 
ed me to return to my post and await his orders. I of 
course obej-ed and returned my pistol to my pocket. In a 
few moments after this we were ordered back to the Square, 
and it was not until after that that the use of fire arms was 
allowed. 

My opinion is, ihat Col. Finley is correct when he says 
that the first fire came from the mob. The first report of 
fire arms which 1 heard certainl}' came from the side of the 
street occupied by the mob. The further occurrences of 
Saturday ni-ght have been already sufficiently explained by 
Col. Finley, and his explanation so far as my knowledge 
extends is correct. 

Gen. Leakin in his statement has mentioned a fact which 
it is proper I should allude to. After the mob had suc- 
ceeded in breaking into the house of Mr. John Glenn, and 
were busily engaged in destroying his furniture, I was in- 
formed that muskets could be procured from the armory 
over the Patapsco engine house, but that it would be dan- 
gerous to attempt to take them, inasmuch as a portion of 
ihe mob was supposed at that time to be surrounding the 
door. I called upon Gen. Leakin, who was then on duty 
in the Square, to know if he would take command of a de- 
tachment of men — force into the armory — get possession 
of the muskets, and march with us to the defence of the 
property of Mr. Glenn. He immediately consented, and 
we went about raising the number of men necessary; but 
before this could be done I was ordered off with the troop 
to which I belonged. Had we even then have succeeded 
in getting the muskets, I have no doubt but that under the 
command of Gen. Leakin, we could have saved the re- 
mainder of Mr. Glenn's property. 

On Sunday morning, as well as I can remember, about 
10 o'clock, my friend Mr. F. J. Dugan and myself walked 
to the house of Mr. Glenn, in Charles-street — ;here was a 
great crowd there, and much excitement seemed to prevail. 



77 

I had been hurt by the falling of my horse on the night be- 
fore, and vvaliied with difficulty. As we passed by a group 
of men in the crowd, I heard some remarks which I thought 
a sufficient warning to me to leave the premises as soon as 
possible. From there I went down towards Mr. Barnum's, 
to learn if I could, whether or not any means were in pro- 
gress to arrest the further violence of the mob. I soon dis- 
covered that the city was completely abandoned, and I re- 
turned to my home. Col.Finley having been wounded on 
the night before was removed to his house in the country. 
I received a note from him informing me of his situation, 
and asking me to rally such friends as I could get and come 
out to him — that his house was threatened and that he was 
determined to defend it. 

1 wrote him for anwser that the mayor had issued a pro- 
clamation in which the town was completely surrendered 
and ourselves virtually handed over to the mob, and that 
my advice to him was to pack up forthwith and put himself 
and family out of the way. This answer it seems did not 
reach him, but I was afterwards much gratified to learn that 
his friends had insisted «pon his pursuing the course point- 
ed out. 

After this I left my house with my family and went to 
that of my friend il/r. McCuUoh, where I remained until 
the following (A/bnday) morning, and then left the city, to 
which I did not return until the next day 

To the 3d I answer, I have no doubt but that it was ge- 
nerally known by the civil authorities that a combination 
was forming in the city for the purpose of breaking the 
public peace and of disturbing the property of citizens. 

To the 4th I answer, I knew of no measures adopted by 
the public authorities to prevent the formation of the mob, 
excepting such as were devised at the Council on Saturday. 

To the 5th I answer, I am now, and have always been of 
the opinion that one hundred well-armed and resolute men 
would have been sufficient to put down the mob. 

To the 6th I answer, I was not in the city when the mob 
was finally quelled, but previous to my leaving the city it 
w;is generally believed that the mob intended to destroy 
the property of other persons. 



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